Bacillomycin: An Antibiotic from Bacillus subtilis Active against Pathogenic Fungi

Abstract

SummaryA strain of Bacillus subtilis has been isolated which elaborates a previously undescribed antibiotic "Bacillomycin." This antibiotic possesses striking antifungal activity and almost complete lack of antibacterial action. The fungus spectrum of "Bacillomycin" includes practically all of the important dermatophytes and systemic fungi. A satisfactory bioassay employing the agar cup plate technic and a spore suspension of Trichophyton mentagrophytes is described. Some physical and chemical properties of the antibiotic are given together with a simple procedure for its concentration from culture broths.