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J Bacteriol. 1962 October; 84(4): 797-802
Copyright © 1962, The Williams & Wilkins Company. All Rights Reserved.

MICROBIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION OF TETRACYCLINES

Squibb Institute for Medical Research, New Brunswick, New Jersey

ABSTRACT

MEYERS, EDWARD (Squibb Institute for Medical Research, New Brunswick, N.J.) AND DOROTHY A. SMITH. Microbiological degradation of tetracyclines. J. Bacteriol. 84:797–802. 1962—The degradation of tetracyclines by an ascomycete, Xylaria digitata, was demonstrated. Washedcell suspensions were capable of degrading tetracycline, 5-hydroxytetracycline, 7-chlortetracycline, 7-chlor-6-demethyltetracycline, 2-acetyl-2-decarboxamido-5-hydroxytetracycline, and 12--deoxytetracycline. The influence of environmental conditions upon the degradation of tetracycline was investigated. A nonantibacterial, nonfluorescent product was located from the degradation of ¹⁴C 5-hydroxytetracycline. Evidence indicated that neither the A nor D ring of 5-hydroxytetracycline is attacked. Acetone powders, lyophilized powders, and cell-free extracts exhibited a relatively limited substrate specificity compared to the washed cells.