• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-4
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• 1999

Nonactin, as a radical-producing antibiotic, was isolated from the cultural broth of the strain JM-4151. This strain was identified as Streptomyces viridochromogenes and designated S. viridochromogenes JM-4151. The antibacterial activity of nonactin against Bacillus subtilis was antagonized by the activity opf quercetin, an oxygen radical scavenger. This result suggests that oxygen radical formation might be the cause for the antibacterial activity of nonactin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2001

Nonactin is the parent compound of a group of ionophore antibiotics, that known as the macrotetrolides. In previous report, in th course of screening superoxide radical-generating compounds from microbial sources, we first screened Streptomyces viridochromogenes JM-4151 that produces nonactin. It was proved that nonactin is superoxide radical-producing compound. In present study, we examined the optimal culture conditions of nonacin. Th optimal culture conditions for nonactin production were as follows: 1% soluble starch, 1% yeast extract, 0.2% ammonium nitrate, 0.06% magnesium sulfate, 0.2% calcium carbonate, initial pH 7.0 at 28$^{\circ}C$ for 96 h. The highest nonactin production was achieved in the production medium of initial pH7.0 at 28$^{\circ}C$ for 96h. The threshold level of dissolved oxygen was found to be above 33.2% at 28$^{\circ}C$ when 1% soluble starch was used as a carbon source. These results suggest that S. viridochromogenes JM-4151 might be a possible strain for industrial nonactin producer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.45-47
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• 2000

Nonactin, known as an ionophore antibiotic, was antagonized by the actibity of quercetin, an oxygen radical scavenger. This compound generated superoxide radicals in Bacillus subtilis lysates. A recombination-deficient mutant strain of B. subtilis was more sensitive than a wild strain, and this hypersensitivity was reduced in the presence of dithiothreitol as an antioxidant. These results suggest that superoxide radical is important in the antibacterial action of this agent.