Modern instrumental methods for identification of antibiotics

Modern screening for antimicrobial agents and the characterization of their transformation products are not only extremely competitive but highly labor intensive activities. The use of specialized instrumental techniques for rapid identification of molecular species shows promise of becoming an essential part of this process. At the earliest stages, microseparation methods coupled with modern methods of ion production are particularly useful. Applications of various methods of chromatography, including high performance liquid chromatography, with various methods of ion production using mass spectrometers, particularly under computer control, are exceptionally powerful, though expensive, means of addressing this problem. Some present and potential uses of this technique are discussed along with a consideration of the strengths and weaknesses now apparent and a projection is made of the future of this method. A brief review of the use of a variety of physical methods of structural characterization for a variety of specialized purposes is also given along with a bibliography of recent applications to specific antibiotics. The scope and limitations of these methods is also treated.