Purification and Characterization of Antistaphylococcal Substance from Pseudomonas sp. KUH-001

A bacterium producing unique antistaphylococcal substance (ASS) was isolated from soil samples. The isolated strain KUH-001 was identified to belong to Pseudomonas species from the characteristic properties of its fluorescence and cellular 3-hydroxy fatty acid composition, etc. The ASS component was purified by procedures employing activated carbon adsorption, column chromatography with silica gel, preparative TLC and HPLC. This compound could also be purified mainly by repeating of trituration and precipitation with chilled ether. Purified ASS with a m.p. value of $140~142^{\circ}C$ showed marked stability at high temperature (at $121^{\circ}C$ for 10 min) and extreme pHs (in 1N HC1 and 1N NaOH for 1 day) without significant loss of antibiotic activity. From spectral data of UV, IR, NMR, and FAB-MS, the compound was elucidated as 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HHQO). Under the conditions employed, HHQO exhibited a narrow antimicrobial spectrum. active particularly against Staphylococcus aureus including the methicillin resistant strain. Moreover, it did not induce resistance, and besides, interacted synergistically with certain antibiotics such as vancomycin or erythromycin.