Natamycin

Natamycin

Natamycin (/nætəˈmaɪsɪn/), also known as pimaricin, is a naturally occurring antifungal agent produced by the bacterium Streptomyces natalensis. It is used in the food industry as a preservative and in medicine to treat fungal infections.

Etymology

The term "Natamycin" is derived from Streptomyces natalensis, the bacterium that produces it, and "mycin", a common suffix for antibiotics derived from fungi or bacteria.

Medical Uses

Natamycin is primarily used in the treatment of fungal infections. It is particularly effective against Aspergillus and Candida species, and is often used in ophthalmology to treat fungal keratitis. It works by binding to the ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane, disrupting its integrity and leading to cell death.

Related Terms

• Antifungal
• Streptomyces natalensis
• Antibiotics
• Aspergillus
• Candida
• Ergosterol
• Fungal keratitis

See Also

• List of antifungals
• List of antibiotics

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Natamycin
• Wikipedia's article - Natamycin

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