A Standardized Antibacterial Pyrogen-free Metabolite Preparation containing Living Penicillium notatum

Abstract

A SUSPENSION of Penicillium notatum (Fleming) hyphæ in a fluid medium, obtained from below the mycelium of the mould at the stage of its highest rate of penicillin production and freed from pyrogens and other impurities, contains also antibacterial metabolites which are normally present in penicillium culture fluid. From its therapeutic results on animals, it appears that the effects of this suspension, in addition to the penicillin effect, are due to the presence or production of other potent bacteriostatic compounds—which are destroyed or left behind in the manufacture of penicillin—and to the continuation of the formation of penicillin in vivo.