Salinomycin, a new polyether antibiotic.

Salinomycin is a new polyether antibiotic produced by a strain of Streptomyces albus (ATCC 21838). The antibiotic is purified by solvent extraction followed by chromatography on alumina or silica gel. It is a weakly acidic compound and has the molecular formula C42H70O11. Salinomycin exhibits activity against gram-positive bacteria including mycobacteria and some filamentous fungi. and is effective in the treatment of coccidial infection of poultry.