Gramicidin

Name:
Gramicidin
Detailed information:
An antibiotic produced by the metabolic processes of the bacteria Bacillus brevis. It is a polypeptide that is active against most Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. It is one of the two antibiotic components of tyrothricin but has been isolated and used alone.

Properties:

White, crystalline platelets. Mp 229–230C. Soluble in lower alcohols, acetic acid, and pyridine; moderately soluble in dry acetone and dioxane; almost insoluble in water, ether, and hydrocarbons. Depresses surface tension, forms a fairly stable colloidal emulsion in distilled water.

Derivation:

From tyrothricin by extraction with a mixture of equal volumes of acetone and ether, followed by concentration in vacuo and dissolving in hot acetone.

Grade:

NF.

Use:

Medicine (antibacterial).