Patent Publication Number: US-4321362-A

Title: De(mycinosyloxy)tylosin and process for its production

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a new macrolide antibiotic, 23-de(mycinosyloxy)tylosin, and to its 20-dihydro derivative. 23-De(mycinosyloxy)tylosin, which will be called de(mycinosyloxy)tylosin or DMOT for convenience herein, has structure 1: ##STR2## Although no stereochemical assignments are indicated in the structures given herein, the stereochemistry of the compounds is identical to that of tylosin. The neutral sugar in structure 1 is mycarose, and the amino-sugar in 1 is mycaminose. The dihydro-derivative of DMOT, i.e. 20-dihydro-23-de(mycinosyloxy)tylosin, will be called dihydro-DMOT for convenience herein. Dihydro-DMOT has structure 2: ##STR3## 
     DMOT and dihydro-DMOT inhibit the growth of organisms which are pathogenic to animals. More specifically, they are antibacterial agents which are especially active against gram-positive microorganisms and Mycoplasma species. 
     The hydroxyl groups of DMOT and dihydro-DMOT can be esterified on the 2&#39;, 4&#34;, 3&#34; and 3-hydroxyl groups to form useful acyl ester derivatives. In addition, dihydro-DMOT can be esterified on the 20-hydroxyl group. Esterification of the 2&#39;-hydroxyl group is most facile. Typical esters are those of a monocarboxylic acid or hemi-esters of a dicarboxylic acid having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms. 
     DMOT, dihydro-DMOT and their acyl ester derivatives are basic compounds which, when treated with acids, are converted to acid addition salts. These addition salts are also part of this invention. To simplify discussions of utility, the term &#34;DMOT compound&#34; is used and refers to DMOT, dihydro-DMOT, a specified acyl ester derivative of these compounds, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt of DMOT, dihydro-DMOT or of their acyl ester derivatives. 
     This invention further relates to a new strain of Streptomyces fradiae, NRRL 12171, and to the method of producing DMOT or dihydro-DMOT by culturing this strain under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions until a substantial level of antibiotic activity is produced. DMOT or dihydro-DMOT can be extracted from basified broth filtrate with polar organic solvents and can be further purified by adsorptive or extractive procedures. 
     This invention also relates to a new method of preparing 23-deoxy-5-O-mycaminosyltylonolide (abbreviated herein as DOMT) and 20-dihydro-23-deoxy-5-O-mycaminosyltylonolide (dihydro-DOMT) by mild acid hydrolysis of DMOT or dihydro-DMOT, respectively. DOMT has structure 3: 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The infrared absorption spectrum of DMOT (free base) in chloroform is presented in the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following paragraphs describe the properties of DMOT. 
     DMOT 
     The structure of DMOT is shown in formula 1. DMOT is a white amorphous solid which softens at about 158° and melts at about 165°-167° C. Elemental analysis indicates that it has the following approximate percentage composition: carbon, 62%; hydrogen, 8%; nitrogen, 2%; oxygen, 27%. It has an empirical formula of C 38  H 63  NO 12  and a molecular weight of about 726 (725 as determined by mass spectrometry). 
     The infrared absorption spectrum of DMOT (free base) in chloroform is shown in the accompanying drawing. Observable absorption maxima occur at the following frequencies (cm -1 ): 3653 (small), 3588 (shoulder), 3470 (broad), 3026 (shoulder), 2998 (shoulder), 2969 (intense), 2932 (intense), 2873 (shoulder), 1709 (intense), 1669 (medium), 1616 (v. small), 1583 (intense), 1447 (medium), 1400 (medium), 1364 (medium), 1309 (medium), 1278 (small), 1175 (medium), 1151 (medium), 1106 (small), 1066 (shoulder), 1036 (intense), 1001 (medium), 982 (medium), 972 (shoulder), 946 (small), 913 (v. small), 891 (v. small), 853 (v. small), 826 (small). 
     The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of DMOT in neutral ethanol exhibits an absorption maximum at 283 nm (ε 21,500). 
     DMOT (free base) has the following specific rotation: 
     [α] D   25  -62.75° (c 1, CH 3  OH). 
     Electrometric titration of DMOT in 66% aqueous dimethylformamide indicates the presence of a titratable group with a pK a  value of about 7.3. 
     DMOT free base is sparingly soluble in water, but is soluble in most popular organic solvents, such as acetone, methanol, ethanol, dimethylformamide, chloroform and dimethyl sulfoxide. DMOT acid addition salts are more soluble in water than is DMOT base. 
     DMOT can be distinguished from tylosin and from DOMT by paper and thin-layer chromatography. The approximate Rf and Rx values of these antibiotics are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. In Table 2 Rx value is the ratio of movement expressed relative to that of tylosin, which was given a value of 1.0. Bioautography with Bacillus subtilis was used for detection. 
     
                       TABLE 1                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Thin-Layer Chromatography of DMOT.sup.a                                   
          Rf Value                                                        
Compound    A.sup.b    B          C                                       
______________________________________                                    
Tylosin     0.53       0.53       0.67                                    
DMOT        0.70       0.56       0.67                                    
DOMT        0.48       0.17       0.24                                    
______________________________________                                    
 .sup.a Medium: Merck, Darmstadt  Silica Gel 60                           
 .sup.b Solvent:                                                          
 A = ethyl acetate:diethylamine (96:4)                                    
 B = acetone:ethanol (2:1)                                                
 C = chloroform:methanol (3:1)                                            
 
    
     
                       TABLE 2                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Paper Chromatography of DMOT.sup.a                                        
               Rx                                                         
Compound         D.sup.b                                                  
                        E                                                 
______________________________________                                    
Tylosin          1.00   1.00                                              
DMOT             1.50   1.09                                              
DOMT             0.50   0.97                                              
______________________________________                                    
 .sup.a Paper: Whatman No. 1 treated with 0.75 M KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 buffer 
 at pH 4.0 and dried                                                      
 .sup.b Solvent:                                                          
 D = ethyl acetate saturated with water                                   
 E = nbutanol saturated with water                                        
 
    
     Dihydro-DMOT 
     Dihydro-DMOT can be obtained by chemical reduction or by fermentation. When preparing dihydro-DMOT by chemical reduction, known procedures such as, for example, treatment with an approximately stoichiometric amount of sodium borohydride in an alcoholic solvent, may be used. Dihydro-DMOT is also produced by the S. fradiae NRRL 12171 of this invention under controlled fermentation conditions. 
     Ester Derivatives 
     DMOT and dihydro-DMOT can be esterified at the 2&#39;, 4&#34;, 3&#34; and 3-positions to give acyl ester derivatives by treatment with acylating agents using methods known in the art. In addition, dihydro-DMOT can be esterified at the 20-position. Esterification of the 2&#39;-hydroxyl group is most facile. Typical acylating agents include anhydrides, halides (usually in combination with a base or other acid scavenger) and active esters of organic acids. Acylation can also be achieved by using a mixture of an organic acid and a dehydrating agent such as N,N&#39;-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. Acylations can also be carried out enzymatically as described by Okamoto et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,473. Once formed, the acyl derivatives can be separated and purified by known techniques. 
     The 2&#39;-monoester derivatives can be prepared by selective esterification techniques generally known in the art, such as, for example, treatment of the antibiotic with a stoichiometric quantity (or a slight excess) of an acylating agent, such as an acyl anhydride, at about room temperature for from about 1 to about 24 hours until esterification is substantially complete. The 2&#39;-monoester can be isolated from the reaction mixture by standard procedures such as extraction, chromatography and crystallization. 
     Useful esters are those of organic acids including aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclic carboxylic, sulfonic and alkoxycarbonic acids of from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, and of inorganic acids, such as sulfuric and phosphoric acids. 
     Representative suitable esters include those derived from acids such as acetic, chloroacetic, propionic, butyric, isovaleric, alkoxycarbonic, stearic, cyclopropanecarboxylic, cyclohexanecarboxylic, β-cyclohexylpropionic, 1-adamantanecarboxylic, benzoic, phenylacetic, phenoxyacetic, mandelic and 2-thienylacetic acids, and alkyl-, aryl-, and aralkyl-sulfonic acids, the aryl- and aralkyl- acids optionally bearing substituents such as halogen, nitro, lower alkoxy and the like on the aromatic moiety. Suitable esters also include hemi-esters derived from dicarboxylic acids such as succinic, maleic, fumaric, malonic and phthalic acids. 
     Pharmaceutically acceptable ester derivatives are a preferred group. Other ester derivatives are useful, however, as intermediates. 
     Salts 
     DMOT, dihydro-DMOT and their specified acyl derivatives form acid addition salts. The acid addition salts of DMOT, dihydro-DMOT and of their acyl derivatives are also part of this invention. Such salts are useful, for example, for separating and purifying DMOT, dihydro-DMOT and their acyl derivatives. In addition the salts have an improved solubility in water. 
     Representative suitable salts include those salts formed by standard reactions with both organic and inorganic acids such as, for example, sulfuric, hydrochloric, phosphoric, acetic, succinic, citric, lactic, maleic, fumaric, palmitic, cholic, pamoic, mucic, D-glutamic, d-camphoric, glutaric, glycolic, phthalic, tartaric, formic, lauric, stearic, salicylic, methanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, sorbic, picric, benzoic, cinnamic and like acids. 
     Pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts are an especially preferred group of salts of this invention. &#34;Pharmaceutically acceptable&#34; salts are salts in which the toxicity of the compound as a whole toward warm-blooded animals is not increased relative to the non-salt form. 
     Preparation of DOMT and Dihydro-DOMT 
     This invention also relates to new methods of preparing 23-deoxy-5-O-mycaminosyltylonolide (3) (DOMT) and dihydro-DOMT by mild acid hydrolysis of DMOT and dihydro-DMOT, respectively. Mild acid hydrolysis conditions are known in the art. Appropriate solutions having a pH of about four or below can be used to accomplish the hydrolysis. Temperatures of about 20° to about 100° C. can be used in this method. The reaction time needed to carry out the hydrolysis varies, depending upon the pH of the reaction mixture and the temperature used. At higher pH levels the reaction rate is slower, and at higher temperatures the reaction rate is faster. The reaction is carried out by treating either DMOT or dihydro-DMOT with a mild acid solution for a time sufficient to effect removal of the mycarosyl group to give DOMT or dihydro-DOMT, respectively. 
     Alternatively, and sometimes preferably, DOMT or dihydro-DOMT can be prepared by treating DMOT or dihydro-DMOT in the fermentation broth in which it is produced, using mild acidic conditions as above described for a time sufficient to convert the DMOT or dihydro-DMOT or DOMT or dihydro-DOMT, respectively. DOMT or dihydro-DOMT thus prepared can be isolated from the fermentation broth using techniques known in the art. 
     DOMT is identical to depoxycirramycin A 1  (de-epoxycirramycin A 1 ). The preparation and activity of depoxycirramycin A 1  are described by H. Tsukiura et al. in J. Antiobiotics 22 (3), 89-99, and 100-105 (1969). Tsukiura et al. prepare depoxycirramycin A 1  by treating cirramycin A 1  with potassium iodide in acetic acid. 
     Another potential method of making DOMT is suggested by T. Suzuki et al. in Chemistry Letters 1973, 793-798. This method involves treating antibiotic B-58941 with potassium iodide in acetic acid to obtain a product which &#34;may be identical with depoxycirramycin A 1  &#34;. DOMT is also related to M-4365 G 2  (repromicin) and rosamicin, being 4&#39;-hydroxy-M-4365 G 2  or de-epoxy-4&#39;-hydroxy-rosamicin, respectively [see A. Kinumaki et al., J. Antibiotics 30 (6), 450-454 (1977)]. Preparation of DOMT from either M-4365 G 2  or rosamicin, however, would be impractical. 
     Preparation of DMOT and Dihydro-DMOT by S. fradiae. 
     DMOT and dihydro-DMOT are prepared by culturing a strain of Streptomyces fradiae which produces these compounds under submerged aerobic conditions in a suitable culture medium until substantial antibiotic activity is produced. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, DMOT is produced first in the fermentation process. Dihydro-DMOT is produced when the fermentation is carried out for a longer time, thus permitting the DMOT present to be reduced enzymatically. 
     The culture medium used to grow Streptomyces fradiae NRRL 12171 can be any one of a number of media. For economy in production, optimal yield, and ease of product isolation, however, certain culture media are preferred. Thus, for example, preferred carbon sources in large-scale fermentation include carbohydrates such as dextrin, glucose, starch, and corn meal and oils such as soybean oil. Preferred nitrogen sources include corn meal, soybean meal, fish meal, amino acids and the like. Among the nutrient inorganic salts which can be incorporated in the culture media are the customary soluble salts capable of yielding iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, ammonium, chloride, carbonate, sulfate, nitrate, and like ions. 
     Essential trace elements necessary for the growth and development of the organism should also be included in the culture medium. Such trace elements commonly occur as impurities in other constituents of the medium in amounts sufficient to meet the growth requirements of the organism. It may be necessary to add small amounts (i.e. 0.2 ml/L) of an antifoam agent such as polypropylene glycol (M.W. about 2000) to large-scale fermentation media if foaming becomes a problem. 
     For production of substantial quantities of DMOT or dihydro-DMOT, submerged aerobic fermentation in tanks is preferred. Small quantities of DMOT or dihydro-DMOT may be obtained by shake-flask culture. Because of the time lag in antibiotic production commonly associated with inoculation of large tanks with the spore form of the organism, it is preferable to use a vegetative inoculum. The vegetative inoculum is prepared by inoculating a small volume of culture medium with the spore form or mycelial fragments of the organism to obtain a fresh, actively growing culture of the organism. The vegetative inoculum is then transferred to a larger tank. The medium used for the vegetative inoculum can be the same as that used for larger fermentations, but other media can also be used. 
     S. fradiae NRRL 12171 can be grown at temperatures between about 10° and about 37° C. Optimum antibiotic production appears to occur at temperatures of about 28° C. 
     As is customary in aerobic submerged culture processes, sterile air is bubbled through the culture medium. For efficient antibiotic production the percent of air saturation for tank production should be about 30% or above (at 28° C. and one atmosphere of pressure). 
     Antibiotic production can be followed during the fermentation by testing samples of the broth against organisms known to be sensitive to these antibiotics. One useful assay organism is Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 9144. The bioassay is conveniently performed by an automated turbidometric method. In addition, antibiotic production can be readily monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. 
     Following its production under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions, DMOT or dihydro-DMOT can be recovered from the fermentation medium by methods used in the fermentation art. Recovery of DMOT or dihydro-DMOT is accomplished by an initial filtration of the fermentation broth. The filtered broth can then be further purified to give the desired antibiotic. A variety of techniques may be used in this purification. A preferred technique for purification of the filtered broth involves adjusting the broth to about pH 9; extracting the broth with a suitable solvent such as ethyl acetate, amyl acetate or methyl isobutyl ketone; extracting the organic phase with an aqueous acidic solution; and precipitating the antibiotic by making the aqueous extract basic. Further purification involves the use of extraction, adsorption and/or precipitation techniques. 
     The Microorganism 
     The new microorganism of this invention was obtained by chemical mutagenesis of a Streptomyces fradiae strain which produced tylosin. The microorganism obtained by mutagenesis produces only minimal amounts of tylosin, but produces DMOT as a major component. 
     For characterization purposes, the new organism was compared with Streptomyces fradiae strain M48-E 2724.1, a tylosin-producing strain derived from S. fradiae NRRL 2702. . S. fradiae NRRL 2702 was disclosed by Hamill et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,341, issued Apr. 13, 1965. In the discussions herein the tylosin-producing S. fradiae M48-E 2724.1 culture will be called &#34;E2724.1&#34;. 
     The new strain which produces DMOT and dihydro-DMOT, NRRL 12171, is also classified as a strain of Streptomyces fradiae. In characterizing this organism, the methods recommended for the International Streptomyces Project for the characterization of Streptomyces species have been followed [E. B. Shirling and D. Gottlieb, &#34;Methods For Characterization of Streptomyces Species,&#34; Internal. Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, 16 (3), 313-340 (1966)] along with certain supplementary tests. The following references to S. fradiae in the literature were consulted: (1) R. E. Buchanan and N. E. Gibbons, &#34;Bergey&#39;s Manual of Determinative Bacteriology,&#34; 8th ed., The Williams and Wilkins Co., Baltimore, Md., 1974, p. 815; and (2) E. B. Shirling and D. Gottlieb, &#34;Cooperative Description of Streptomyces. II. Species Description from First Study,&#34; Internal. Journal of Systematic Bacteriology, 18 (2), 118, (1968). 
     The following description of the strain which produces DMOT compares its characteristics with those of the tylosin-producing S. fradiae strain &#34;E2724.1&#34;. 
     Characterization of the Microorganism 
     The spore-chain morphology of the new strain and of the E2724.1 strain is in the Retinaculum-Apertum (RA) section. Hooks, loops, and irregular coils are short and generally not of a wide diameter. This is best observed on ISP#2 (yeast-malt extract agar) for strain E2724.1 and on Czapek&#39;s solution agar for the new strain. The spore surface is smooth; the spore shape is spherical with an average size of 0.65 μM in diameter. The diameter range is from 0.61 to 0.71 μM. 
     The most obvious differences between these strains are seen in their cultural characteristics. The E2724.1 strain produces aerial mycelia fairly well on most media and is in the White color series. The new strain of this invention produces very little if any aerial mycelia. When present, it is in the White to Gray color series. The reverse sides of these colonies have no distinctive pigments produced. They are light to moderate yellow in color. Melanoid pigment production is negative 1 . 
    
     A summary of the important similarities and differences between the E2724.1 strain and the new strain of this invention is given in Table 3. 
     
                       TABLE 3                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Comparison of Streptomyces fradiae E 2724.1 and NRRL 12171                
Similarities       Differences                                            
______________________________________                                    
Spore-chain morphology                                                    
                   Cultural characteristics                               
Spore-surface ornamentation                                               
                   NaCl tolerance                                         
Spore size         pH range                                               
Lack of chromogenicity                                                    
                   Temperature range                                      
Lack of soluble pigments                                                  
Growth in selected vegetative                                             
 media                                                                    
Starch hydrolysis                                                         
Negative skim milk reaction                                               
Nitrate reduction                                                         
Catalase positive                                                         
Phosphatase positive                                                      
Urease negative                                                           
Antibiotic sensitivity                                                    
 pattern                                                                  
Carbon Utilization                                                        
Gelatin liquefaction                                                      
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The morphology and growth characteristics of the S. fradiae E2724.1 and NRRL 12171 strains are compared in Table 4. In the tables which follow the antibiotic sensitivities (Table 5), carbon utilization (Table 6) and miscellaneous physiological characteristics (Table 7) are compared. 
     
                       TABLE 4                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Growth Characteristics and Morphology                                     
           E2724.1     NRRL 12171                                         
______________________________________                                    
Sporophores      RA            RA                                         
Spore chains     &gt;10           &gt;10                                        
Spore surface.sup.1                                                       
                 smooth        smooth                                     
Spore shape      spherical     spherical                                  
ISP#2     G.sup.2                                                         
                 good          fair                                       
          R      87. m. yellow.sup.3                                      
                               87. m. yellow                              
          Am     good 263. white                                          
                               none                                       
          Sp     none          none                                       
ISP#3     G      poor          no growth                                  
          R      263. white    --                                         
          Am     poor 263. white                                          
                               --                                         
          Sp     none          --                                         
ISP#4     G      abundant      good                                       
          R      87. m. yellow 87. m. yellow                              
          Am     abundant 263. white                                      
                               good 92. y. white                          
          Sp     none          none                                       
ISP#5     G      good          good                                       
          R      86.1. yellow  86.1 yellow                                
          Am     good 92. y. white                                        
                               trace 93. y. gray                          
          Sp     none          none                                       
ISP#7     G      abundant      good                                       
          R      87. m. yellow 87. m. yellow                              
          Am     abundant 263. white                                      
                               good 264.1 gray                            
          Sp     none          light brown                                
Bennett&#39;s G      poor          no growth                                  
          R      90. gy. yellow                                           
                               --                                         
          Am     none          --                                         
          Sp     none          --                                         
Ca-malate G      good          poor                                       
          R      263. white    92. y. white                               
          Am     good 263. white                                          
                               none                                       
          Sp     none          none                                       
Czapek&#39;s  G      good          good                                       
          R      87. m. yellow 87. m. yellow                              
          Am     abundant 263. white                                      
                               good 92. y. white                          
          Sp     none          none                                       
Glucose-  G      no growth     no growth                                  
asparagine                                                                
          R      --            --                                         
          Am     --            --                                         
          Sp     --            --                                         
Tomato paste-                                                             
          G      abundant      good                                       
oatmeal   R      92. y. white  87. m. yellow                              
          Am     abundant 263. white                                      
                               none                                       
          Sp     none          none                                       
______________________________________                                    
 .sup.1 Spore-surface ornamentation was determined using a scanning       
 electron microscope.                                                     
 .sup.2 G = Growth; R = Reverse or underside of colony; Am = Aerial       
 mycelium; Sp = soluble pigment                                           
 .sup.3 Color names were assigned using the ISCCNBS color charts (K. L.   
 Kelly and D. B. Judd, &#34;The ISCCNBS Centroid Color Charts Standard Sample 
 No. 2106,&#34; U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Bureau of Standards,         
 Washington, D. C. 20234)                                                 
 
    
     
                       TABLE 5                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Antibiotic Sensitivity.sup.a, b                                           
                                       NRRL                               
Antibiotic Conc.    Class Compound                                        
                                E2724.1                                   
                                       12171                              
______________________________________                                    
Chloramphenicol                                                           
           μg    nitrophenyl compound                                  
                                +      +                                  
Erythromycin                                                              
           15 μg macrolide   tr     +                                  
Cephaloridine                                                             
           30 μg βlactam                                          
                                +      +                                  
Lincomycin  2 μg lincosaminide                                         
                                -      -                                  
Polymyxin B                                                               
           300 units                                                      
                    peptide     tr     tr                                 
Streptomycin                                                              
           10 μg aminoglycoside                                        
                                +      +                                  
Tetracycline                                                              
           30 μg tetracycline                                          
                                +      +                                  
Vancomycin 30 μg glycopeptide                                          
                                +      +                                  
______________________________________                                    
 .sup.a Determined by using sensitivity discs padded onto seededagar      
 plates.                                                                  
 .sup.b - = resistance (no zones of inhibition)                           
  + = sensitivity (zones of inhibition)                                   
  tr = trace of sensitivity                                               
 
    
     
                       TABLE 6                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Carbon Utilization.sup.a, b                                               
Carbon Source                                                             
             E2724.1       NRRL 12171                                     
______________________________________                                    
Control: no carbon                                                        
             -             -                                              
Control: Glucose                                                          
             +             +                                              
L-Arabinose  -             -                                              
D-Fructose   +             +                                              
D-Galactose  +             +                                              
i-Inositol   +             +                                              
D-Mannitol   -             -                                              
Raffinose    -             -                                              
Salicin      -             -                                              
Sucrose      +             +                                              
D-Xylose     +             +                                              
D-Rhamnose   -             -                                              
______________________________________                                    
 .sup.a - = no utilization                                                
  + = utilization                                                         
 .sup.b Determined on International Streptomyces Project (ISP) #9         
 (carbonutilization agar) basal medium to which filtersterilized carbon   
 sources were added to equal a final concentration of 1.0%. Plates were   
 incubated at 30° C. and obsered after 7 and 12 days.              
 
    
     
                       TABLE 7                                                     
______________________________________                                    
Miscellaneous Physiological Characteristics                               
               E2724.1   NRRL 12171                                       
______________________________________                                    
ISP#1 (chromogenicity)                                                    
                 -           -                                            
ISP#6 (chromogenicity)                                                    
                 -           -                                            
ISP#7 (chromogenicity)                                                    
                 -           -                                            
Gelatin liquefaction                                                      
                 -           -                                            
Skim-milk reaction                                                        
                 -           -                                            
pH growth range.sup.1,2                                                   
                 6.1-8.8     6.1-7.8                                      
Temperature growth range.sup.1,3                                          
                 10-37° C.                                         
                             10-30° C.                             
NaCl tolerance.sup.1,4                                                    
                 8%          4%                                           
Starch hydrolysis.sup.5                                                   
                 +           +                                            
Nitrate reduction                                                         
                 +           +                                            
Catalase.sup.6   +           +                                            
Phosphatase.sup.6                                                         
                 +           +                                            
Urease.sup.6     -           -                                            
______________________________________                                    
 .sup.1 On ISP#2 (yeast extractmalt extract agar) medium; incubated 7 days
 .sup.2 Determined using the following buffers at a concentration of 0.05 
 M: citric acid, pH 3, 4, 5; 2(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid, pH 6;    
 3(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid, pH 7;                               
 N2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N&#39;-2-ethanesulfonic acid, pH 8;                
 2amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propane-diol, pH 9;                         
 3cyclohexylamino-1,1-propanesulfonic acid, pH 10, 11. The pH of the agar 
 after seven days&#39; incubation was taken as the correct value since some of
 the buffers failed to hold their adjusted pH. Buffer toxicity was tested 
 by adjusting all the buffers to pH 7.0 and determining growth. No toxicit
 was noted.                                                               
 .sup.3 Tested at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 37, 40, 45, 50 and 55° C. 
 .sup.4 Measured by adding NaCl to the agar to equal: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 an
 12% NaCl by weight                                                       
 .sup.5 Starch hydrolysis was determined by testing for the presence of   
 starch with iodine on ISP#4 (inorganic saltsstarch agar) plates          
 .sup.6 The methods of Blazevic and Ederer were followed for the enzyme   
 assays (D. J. Blazevic and G. M. Ederer, &#34;Principles of Biochemical Tests
 in Diagnostic Microbiology,&#34; John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1975). 
 
    
     Based on the foregoing characteristics the organism which produces DMOT and dihydro-DMOT, NRRL 12171, is classified as a new strain of Streptomyces fradiae. This new culture has been deposited and made part of the stock culture collection of the Northern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research, North Central Region, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois, 61604, from which it is available to the public under the accession number NRRL 11271. 
     As is the case with other organisms, the characteristics of Streptomyces fradiae NRRL 12171 are subject to variation. For example, recombinants, mutants or artificial variants of the NRRL 12171 strain may be obtained by treatment with various known physical and chemical mutagens, such as ultraviolet light, X-rays, gamma rays, and N-methyl-N&#39;-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. All natural and artificial variants, mutants and recombinants of Streptomyces fradiae NRRL 12171 which retain the characteristic of DMOT production may be used in this invention. 
     Activity of the DMOT Compounds 
     The DMOT compounds inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, especially gram-positive bacteria and Mycoplasma species. For example, Table 8 summarizes the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC), as measured by standard agar-dilution assays, at which DMOT (free base) inhibits certain bacteria. 
     
                       TABLE 8                                                     
______________________________________                                    
In Vitro Activity of DMOT Free Base                                       
Organism                 MIC (μg/ml)                                   
______________________________________                                    
Streptococcus pyogenes C203                                               
                         0.25                                             
Streptococcus pneumoniae Park I                                           
                         0.13                                             
Streptococcus sp. (Group D) 282                                           
                         0.5                                              
Staphylococcus aureus 3055                                                
                         1.0                                              
Pasteurella multocida    6.25                                             
Pasteurella hemolytica   25.00                                            
Mycoplasma gallisepticum 0.097                                            
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae 0.39                                             
Mycoplasma hyorhinis     0.78                                             
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The DMOT compounds have shown in vivo antimicrobial activity against experimental bacterial infections. When two doses of test compound were administered to mice in experimental infections, the activity observed was measured as an ED 50  value [effective dose in mg/kg to protect 50% of the test animals: see Warren Wick, et al., J. Bacteriol. 81, 233-235 (1961)]. An ED 50  value observed for DMOT is given in Table 9. 
     
                       TABLE 9                                                     
______________________________________                                    
ED.sub.50 Value of DMOT.sup.a                                             
Test             Streptococcus                                            
Compound         pyogenes C203                                            
______________________________________                                    
DMOT Free Base   6.3                                                      
Bacterial                                                                 
Challenge (X LD.sub.50)                                                   
                 268                                                      
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 .sup.a Subcutaneous; mg/kg × 2                                     
 
    
     For the prevention or treatment of Mycoplasma infections in poultry, an effective non-toxic amount of a DMOT compound is administered to birds orally or parenterally. DMOT compounds are most conveniently administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as the water ingested by the birds. 
     In order to illustrate more fully the operation of this invention, the following examples are provided: 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     A. Shake-flask Fermentation of DMOT 
     A lyophilized pellet of Streptomyces fradiae NRRL 12171 is dispersed in 1-2 ml of sterilized water. A portion of this solution (0.5 ml) is used to inoculate a vegetative medium (150 ml) having the following composition: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Ingredient       Amount (%)                                               
______________________________________                                    
Corn steep liquor                                                         
                 1.0                                                      
Yeast extract    0.5                                                      
Soybean grits    0.5                                                      
CaCO.sub.3       0.3                                                      
Soybean oil(crude)                                                        
                 0.45                                                     
Deionized water  97.25                                                    
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     Alternatively, a vegetative culture of S. fradiae NRRL 12171 preserved, in 1-ml volumes, in liquid nitrogen is rapidly thawed and used to inoculate the vegetative medium. The inoculated vegetative medium is incubated in a 500-ml Erlenmeyer flask at 29° C. for about 48 hours on a closed-box shaker at about 300 rpm. 
     This incubated vegetative medium (0.5 ml) is used to inoculate 7 ml of a production medium having the following composition: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Ingredient       Amount (%)                                               
______________________________________                                    
Beet molasses    2.0                                                      
Corn meal        1.5                                                      
Fish meal        0.9                                                      
Corn gluten      0.9                                                      
NaCl             0.1                                                      
(NH.sub.4).sub.2 HPO.sub.4                                                
                 0.04                                                     
CaCO.sub.3       0.2                                                      
Soybean oil (crude)                                                       
                 3.0                                                      
Deionized water  91.36                                                    
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     The inoculated fermentation medium is incubated in a 50-ml bottle at 29° C. for about 6 days on a closed-box shaker at 300 rpm. 
     B. Tank Fermentation of DMOT 
     In order to provide a larger volume of inoculum, 60 ml of incubated vegetative medium, prepared in a manner similar to that described in section A, is used to inoculate 38 L of a second-stage vegetative growth medium having the following composition: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Ingredient       Amount (%)                                               
______________________________________                                    
Corn steep liquor                                                         
                 1.0                                                      
Soybean oil meal 0.5                                                      
Yeast extract    0.5                                                      
CaCO.sub.3       0.3                                                      
Soybean oil (crude)                                                       
                 0.5                                                      
Lecithin (crude) 0.015                                                    
Water            97.185                                                   
Adjust pH to 8.5 with 50% NaOH solution.                                  
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     This second-stage vegetative medium is incubated in a 68-liter tank for about 47 hours at 29° C. 
     Incubated second-stage medium (4 L) thus prepared is used to inoculate 40 liters of sterile production medium having the following composition: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Ingredient       Amount (%)                                               
______________________________________                                    
Fish meal        0.9188                                                   
Corn meal        1.575                                                    
Corn gluten      0.9188                                                   
CaCO.sub.3       0.210                                                    
NaCl             0.105                                                    
(NH.sub.4).sub.2 HPO.sub.4                                                
                 0.042                                                    
Beet molasses    2.10                                                     
Soybean oil (crude)                                                       
                 3.15                                                     
Lecithin         0.0945                                                   
Water            90.8859                                                  
Adjust pH to 7.2 with 50% NaOH solution.                                  
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     The inoculated production medium is allowed to ferment in a 68-liter tank for about 5 days at a temperature of 28° C. The fermentation medium is aerated with sterile air to keep the dissolved oxygen level between about 30% and 50% and is stirred with conventional agitators at about 300 rpm. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Isolation of DMOT 
     Fermentation broth, obtained as described in Example 1, and having a pH of 7.2, is filtered using a filter aid. Ethyl acetate (400 ml) is added to the filtrate (1450 ml). The pH of the solution is adjusted to 9.1 by the addition of sodium hydroxide. The solution is stirred 10 minutes, and the ethyl acetate is separated (filtering through a filter aid to clear any emulsion which forms). The filtrate is again extracted with ethyl acetate (200 ml). Water (200 ml) is added to the combined ethyl acetate extracts; the pH of this solution is adjusted to 4.1 with phosphoric acid. After extraction, the aqueous phase is separated, and the organic phase is discarded. The aqueous phase is adjusted to pH 9.1 with sodium hydroxide and then concentrated to a volume of about 100 ml under vacuum. An amorphous precipitate forms. After permitting the precipitate to stand overnight, it is separated by filtration. The precipitate is dissolved in acetone (20 ml); water (75 ml) is added. The solution is concentrated under vacuum to remove acetone. The precipitate which forms is separated by filtration and washed with water to give about 500 mg of DMOT (1). An additional 260 mg is obtained in a similar manner from the filtrate. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Preparation of DOMT 
     DMOT (11 g), prepared as described in Example 2, is dissolved in a dilute hydrochloric acid solution (HCl added to water until the pH of the solution is 1.8). The resulting solution is allowed to stand for 24 hours at room temperature and then is adjusted to pH 9.0 by addition of sodium hydroxide. This basic solution is extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract is dried under vacuum to give 9.65 g of DOMT (3). 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     Preparation of Dihydro-DMOT 
     DMOT (50 mg), prepared as described in Example 2, is dissolved in an aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution (approximately 40%; 25 ml). Sodium borohydride (20 mg) is dissolved in a 30% aqueous isopropyl alcohol solution (10 ml). The NaBH 4  solution (1 ml) is added to the solution containing DMOT. The resulting mixture is stirred for 5 minutes, is adjusted to pH 7.5 with phosphoric acid, and is concentrated under vacuum to remove the isopropyl alcohol. Chloroform (50 ml) is added. The pH of the aqueous phase is adjusted to 7.5. After extraction, the chloroform is separated and evaporated to dryness under vacuum to give dihydro-DMOT. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     Preparation of Dihydro-DOMT 
     Dihydro-DMOT, prepared as described in Example 4, is treated in the manner described in Example 3 to give dihydro-DOMT. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     Alternative Preparation of DOMT 
     DOMT is prepared from DMOT by treating DMOT in the fermentation broth in which it is produced with mild acid as described in Example 3. Isolation of DOMT is accomplished by a procedure similar to that described for DMOT in Example 2. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     2&#39;-O-Propionyl-DMOT 
     DMOT is dissolved in acetone and treated with 1.2 equivalents of propionic anhydride at room temperature for about six hours to give 2&#39;-O-propionyl-DMOT. 
     EXAMPLES 8-10 
     2&#39;-O-Isovaleryl-DMOT, prepared according to the procedure of Example 7, but using isovaleric anhydride. 
     2&#39;-O-Benzoyl-DMOT, prepared according to the procedure of Example 7, but using benzoic anhydride. 
     2&#39;-O-(n-Butyryl)DMOT, prepared according to the procedure of Example 7, but using n-butyric anhydride.