Biological properties of macarbomycin, an antibiotic containing phosphorus.

Macarbomycin is an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces phaeochromogenes, inhibitory mainly against Gram-positive bacteria including drug-resistant strains and with low toxicity. It is readily soluble in water and relatively stable over a wide pH range. Its antibacterial activity is markedlyreduced by serum albumin. The antibiotic showsa moderatecurative activity to staphylococcal infection in mice. Whenintravenously injected into mice, macarbomycinis excreted slowly. It is apparently not absorbed as such from the alimentary tract. By long-term oral administrations to baby and juvenile monkeys, macarbomycin promoted growth with no signs of toxicity.