filffe' ^ 1881-1955 The antibacterial action of cultures of a Penicillium, with special reference to their use in the isolation of B. influenzae* A. FLEMING.
Brit. J. Exptl. Path, 10, 226-36 (1929). — A certain type of Penicillium produces in ordinary nutrient broth a powerful antibacterial substance. The active agent is readily filtrable and the name "penicillin" has been given to filtrates of broth cultures of the mold. Penicillin loses most of its power after 10-14 days at room temp, but can be preserved longer by neutralization. The active agent is not destroyed by boiling for a few min. but in alk. soln. boiling for 1 hr. markedly reduces the power. Autoclaving for 20 min. at 115° practically destroys it. It is sol. in ale. but insol. in ether or CHCI^. The action is very marked on the pyogenic cocci and the diphtheria group of bacilli. Many bacteria are quite insensitive, e. #., the coli-typhoid group, the influenza bacillus group and the enterococcus. The isolation of Pfeiffer's bacillus of influenza is very easy when penicillin is used. Penicillin is non-toxic to animals in enormous doses and is nonirritant. It is suggested that it may be an efficient antiseptic for application to, or injection into, areas infected with penicillinsensitive microbes. HARRIET F. HOLMES Drawing based OH a photograph by Karsh of Ottawa
t^fe:^
23:4961 CA: Vol. 23 (1929)
TOMORROW'S MIUESTONESI x x X v X v JLJLil
V>OJL#
# # JL \JMJL%JL
Alexander Fleming's paper on penieillin—abstracted in Chemical Abstracts in 1929—ushered in a new era for research, technology and medical care. Behind that great advance is a story of miraculous luck which brought a spore of the mold Penicillium notation to a petri dish in Fleming's disorderly laboratory, and Fleming's skillful, methodical pursuit of the tantalizing factor which destroyed bacteria growing on the agar. As science continues to grow and advance through similar combinations of skill and luck, the results of that adventure will continue to appear in Chemical Abstracts. Chemical Abstracts—informative summaries of the major, new findings in chemistry and chemical engineering Complete—published continuously since 1907 Comprehensive—culled from 14,000 journals published in over 150 countries and the patents of 28 offices Convenient—thoroughly indexed for easy retrieval Current—many papers are abstracted within two months of publication
I
Please send me more information about Chemical Abstracts and my free poster of Alexander Fleming!
Name Tide Organization Address Clip this form or send a photocopy of it to: Chemical Abstracts Service Marketing Dcpt. CNF P.O. Box 3012 Columbus, Ohio 43210
Nov. 17, 1980 C&EN
71
