Evening star., 1950-12-13
More Effective Killer
Of Insects, Fungi Found
Antimycin Is Discovered
In Soil Micro Organism
By Thomos r. Henry

One of the most effective insect and
fungus killers yet known-effective
against some fungi in dilutions Of one
part to 800,000,000 parts Of water-has
been reported to the American Asso-
citation for the Advancement Of Science.
1t is antimycin, isolated from an un-
identified species of soil micro-organ-
ism closely related to the source Of
streptomycin. The substance appears.
however, to be highly specific In its
action. Some insects can eat 1t with
impunity.
Striking Illustration.
A striking illustration was obtained
with trials against wood-eating insects.
Test fabrics were impregnated with an
timycin. The new insecticide reported
by Drs. George s. KIDD and E. Spyhal-
ski Of the University of Wisconsin, was
100 times more potent against the black
carpet beetle than the material COM
monty used. On the other hand, it had
almost no effect against the webbing
clothes moth. It is quite effective
against the house fly, but such bugs as
the German cockroach can eat it with
impunity.
The Southern army worm, an insect
pest OF increasing Importance, can de-
YOUR leaves sprayed with the material
with no i'll effects. On the other hand
1t is 20 times as potent against the
Mexican bean beetle as methoxychlor,
the substance ordinarily used.
1t was extremely effective in test
against the red spider mite which is
resistant to most insecticides.
In order to kill, the new insecticide
must be eaten. 1t apparently does not
kill on contact. 1t does, however, have a
strong repelling effect when used to pro-
tect fabrics.
A goiter-producing substance which
can be isolated from most vegetables of
the cabbage and turnip families has
been reported by the Nutrition Founda-
ton.
1t Is thiooxazolidone, a yellow oil
which has been extracted from ruta-
bagas and synthesized and tested with
animals. It's particular function seems
to be inhibition Of the uptake of iodine
by the thyroid gland. Lack of iodine in
the diet long has been recognized as a
major cause OF the most prevalent form
OF goiter which is most common in re-
S1oAio W4icIc VIC SOll ID QcIlCleQC IN LniS
element. There are occasional cases,
however. in which iodine seems to be
sufficient and where no improvement is
produced by treatment
The idea Of some substance in food
which might counteract the iodine was
first suggested at Johns Hopkins Uni
versity about 20 years ago, and there
were strong indications that cabbage
contained something which produced
large thyroid glands in rabbits.
Found In Many Seeds.
Now. 1t is announced. thiooxazolidone
has been found not only In the rutabaga
but in seeds Of white turnip, cabbage,
kale and rape. A very similar material
can be isolated from seeds of Chinese
cabbage. Brussels sprouts, broccoli and
kohlrabi. It Is curiously missing from
caulifower. -
In the vegetables themselves, however,
the material exists In extremely minute
quantities, and 1t is difficult to- think
OF the seeds as q prominent part of
any diet. Thus there still is much un.
certainty, the report says, whether thio-
oxazolidone Is Of much practical impor.
tance as goiter agent. -
All the experiments to date, however.
have been concerned with the fact that
1t inhibits iodine ingestion by the
thyroid. There may be other effects
which have not yet been determined.