Production of Kojic Acid by Aspergillus effusus Tiraboschi

Abstract

IN 1942 Wilkins and Harris¹ reported that culture media on which the mould Aspergillus effusus Tiraboschi (National Collection of Type Cultures, No. 973) had grown inhibited the growth of B. coli and Staph. aureus. It has been found that, under cultural conditions to be described, the whole of the antibacterial activity can be attributed to the production of kojic acid. Owing to the weakness of its antibacterial properties this substance is not generally regarded as an antibiotic; its detection as such was due to its relatively high concentration in the culture fluid. Attention is directed here to kojic acid as an antibiotic because it is a common product of mould metabolism and may account for the inhibitory properties of a number of moulds not yet investigated in detail. Recognition of this possibility may prove time-saving to other workers.