Isolation of a new polyether antibiotic, lonomycin.

A new polyether antibiotic, lonomycin, was isolated from the culture of Streptomyces ribosidifcus strain TM-481. The antibiotic obtained as a sodium salt is a colorless prism having a molecular formula of C44H75O14Na(M.W. 850), m.p. 188 approximately 189 degrees C, and has no absorption maxima in the ultraviolet region. The infrared and NMR spectra of the antibiotic suggest the presence of a carboxyl and four methoxyl groups. Lonomycin shows antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria.