GB821820A - Isolation and purification of the antibiotic novobiocin - Google Patents

Abstract

Novobiocin (cathomycin) is isolated by acidifying an alkaline solution, e.g. a filtered broth of pH 9.0 with, e.g., an hydrohalic acid such as hydrochloric acid at, e.g. 2.0 and recovering the precipitated antibiotic, preferably by filtering with a filler aid. The impure novobiocin may be further purified by dissolving in an aqueous organic solvent, e.g. methanol, removing the organic solvent, adjusting the pH of the aqueous residue to, e.g., pH 9.0, and extracting with butanol. The solid obtained after the removal of the butanol is further purfied by washing with petroleum ether. Alternatively, or in addition, a solution of crude novobiocin in a solvent is treated with acid washed alumina to remove impurities. It is preferred to use a column of alumina and to pass a solution of novobiocin in ethanol down the column which is then washed with ethanol. The effluent is concentrated and novobiocin precipitated by the addition of water. The precipitate is dissolved in anhydous acetone, treated with carbon, filtered and precipitated by the addition of petroleum ether.