Studies in the biochemistry of micro-organisms

Abstract

Dehy-drocarolic acid, C9H8O4, a hitherto undescribed mold metabolic product, is formed on Czapek-Dox glucose medium by a strain of P. cinerascens. Its isolation, properties and breakdown products are described. It is a dehydro derivative of carolic acid, C9H10O4, a metabolic product of P. charlesii. Dehydrocarolic acid hydrate is [alpha]-([gamma]-hydroxy-n-butyryl)-[gamma]-methylenetetronic acid. Culture filtrates of P. cinerascens show antibacterial activity due to the presence of the antibiotics gliotoxin and spinulosin. Dehydrocarolic acid has no appreciable antibacterial activity. Carlosic acid, previously reported as a metabolic product of P. charlesii, was isolated also in small amts.