Nisamycin

Nisamycin is a naturally derived macrolide antibiotic that occupies a unique niche in both industrial and scientific fields. Its origin traces to microbial fermentation—specifically, it is produced by cultivating Streptomyces noursei, a soil-dwelling bacterium known for its ability to synthesize bioactive compounds through metabolic processes. This production method aligns with sustainable practices, leveraging microbial biotechnology to yield a compound with diverse applications.
Chemically, Nisamycin is defined by its precise molecular structure, with a molecular formula of C₂₄H₂₇NO₆ and two recognized CAS Registry Numbers: 150829-93-9 and 34947-51-8. It also has systematic chemical synonyms, including (2E, 4E, 6E)-7-((1S, 2R, 6R)-4-(((2E, 4E)-5-cyclohexylpenta-2, 4-dienoyl)amino)-2-hydroxy-5-oxo-7-oxabicyclo(4.1.0)hept-3-en-2-yl)hepta-2, 4, 6-trienoic acid, which reflects its complex bicyclic and polyenoic structure.
Historically, Nisamycin gained attention for its dual functionality: initially valued in agricultural and food sectors, it has since emerged as a promising tool in biomedical research. Early applications focused on its ability to regulate microbial growth, while modern studies have expanded its potential to therapeutic and diagnostic contexts, driven by a deepening understanding of its mechanism of action and low toxicity profile.

Targeted Antibacterial Spectrum: Exhibits potent activity against a broad range of gram-positive bacteria, including clinically relevant strains such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae, while showing no activity against gram-negative bacteria—a trait that enables precise microbial targeting.
Well-Characterized Mechanism: Acts by selectively binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome, directly inhibiting peptide bond formation and disrupting protein synthesis, which ultimately leads to bacterial cell death.
Favorable Toxicity Profile: Demonstrates minimal toxicity in both human and animal models. It is rapidly absorbed and metabolized in biological systems, with the majority of the compound excreted via urine, reducing cumulative exposure risks.
Dual Bioactivity: Beyond antibacterial effects, preliminary research indicates potential antiviral activity against influenza A virus and immunomodulatory properties, expanding its utility beyond traditional antibiotics.
Standardized Production: Derived from controlled fermentation of Streptomyces noursei, ensuring consistent purity and potency across batches, which is critical for both industrial applications and laboratory research.

Food Industry Preservation: Used to inhibit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic gram-positive bacteria in processed foods, extending shelf life without compromising flavor or texture. It is particularly effective in dairy products, baked goods, and processed meats where gram-positive contaminants pose risks.
Agricultural Growth Promotion: Administered as a feed additive for livestock to suppress harmful gut bacteria, improving feed conversion efficiency and reducing the incidence of bacterial infections in agricultural animals.
Biomedical Research: Employed as a selective antibiotic in cell culture and microbial studies to isolate or eliminate gram-positive bacteria. It is also used to investigate ribosomal function and protein synthesis pathways in bacterial model systems.
Therapeutic Development: Investigated for potential use in treating bacterial infections, especially those caused by antibiotic-resistant gram-positive strains. Its antiviral activity against influenza A virus also makes it a candidate for developing antiviral therapeutics.
Veterinary Medicine: Explored as a topical or oral treatment for bacterial infections in companion animals, leveraging its low toxicity and targeted activity to minimize side effects.

In the field of macrolide antibiotics and microbial control agents, several complementary products cater to overlapping research and industrial needs. Polyene macrolides like natamycin (also known as pimaricin) are widely used for antifungal applications, targeting fungi such as Candida and Aspergillus by binding to ergosterol in fungal cell membranes. Nisin, a bacteriocin, is another key product, valued for its antilisterial properties in food preservation and potential therapeutic use in treating ulcers and mastitis. Amphotericin B, a polyene macrolide, serves as a potent antifungal in clinical settings, particularly for systemic infections. Additionally, other streptomyces-derived antibiotics like erythromycin are widely used in both research and medicine for their broad gram-positive activity. If you are interested in related products, you can directly contact us for product customization services.