MYRIOCIN, A NEW ANTIFUNGAL ANTIBIOTIC FROM MYRIOCOCCUM ALBOMYCES

A new crystalline antifungal compound, myriocin, has been isolated from culture filtrates and mycelium of the thermophilic ascomycete Myriococcum albomyces. Myriocin is strongly active in vitro against yeasts and dermatophytes. This paper deals with the production, isolation, and purification, as well as the physical, chemical and biological properties of myriocin and one of its derivatives, anhydromyriocin. The elucidation of its chemical structure is also reported. The compound appears to be too toxic for therapeutic purposes.