Zinc bacitracin
[CAS# 1405-89-6]

Identification

• Classification: API >> Antibiotics >> Peptide drug
• Name: Zinc bacitracin
• Synonyms: Bacitracin zinc salt
• Molecular Formula: C₆₆H₁₀₁N₁₇O₁₆SZn
• Molecular Weight: 1486.07
• CAS Registry Number: 1405-89-6
• EC Number: 215-787-8
• SMILES: CCC(C)[C@H]1C(=O)N[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)NCCCC[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](C(=O)N1)CCCN)NC(=O)[C@H](C(C)CC)NC(=O)[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)C2CSC(=N2)C(C(C)CC)N)CC(=O)N)CC(=O)O)CC3=CN=CN3)CC4=CC=CC=C4.[Zn+2]

Properties

• Melting point: 250 °C (dec.)
• Water solubility: 5.1 g/L (28 °C)

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07 Warning
• Risk Statements: H315-H317-H319-H335-H412
• Safety Statements: P261-P264-P264+P265-P271-P272-P273-P280-P302+P352-P304+P340-P305+P351+P338-P319-P321-P332+P317-P333+P317-P337+P317-P362+P364-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	3	H412

Discovery and Applications

Zinc bacitracin, an antibiotic, was discovered in the late 1940s by researchers at the Eli Lilly Company. It was isolated from the bacterium Bacillus subtilis and identified as a member of the bacitracin group of antibiotics. Bacitracins are cyclic polypeptides with antimicrobial properties, and the addition of zinc enhances their stability and efficacy. Zinc bacitracin was initially developed for veterinary use, particularly in poultry farming, to prevent and treat bacterial infections in livestock. Its discovery represented a significant advancement in veterinary medicine.

Zinc bacitracin is widely used in veterinary medicine as a feed additive for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections in livestock, poultry, and other animals. It is effective against a variety of gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Clostridium species, which are common pathogens in animal husbandry. In addition to its antimicrobial activity, zinc bacitracin has been found to promote growth and improve feed efficiency in animals, particularly poultry. The exact mechanism underlying this growth-promoting effect is not fully understood but is thought to involve modulation of the gut microbiota and enhancement of nutrient absorption. Zinc bacitracin is used prophylactically in poultry farming to prevent necrotic enteritis, a bacterial disease caused by Clostridium perfringens. Zinc bacitracin helps control the proliferation of C. perfringens in the intestines, reducing the risk of disease outbreaks. Zinc bacitracin is employed in the management of mastitis, a common bacterial infection of the udder in dairy cattle. Zinc bacitracin is also used in aquaculture to prevent and treat bacterial infections in farmed fish and shellfish. It is effective against a range of gram-positive bacteria that can cause disease in aquatic organisms, contributing to improved health and productivity in aquaculture operations.

References

2018. Innovative drugs, chemicals, and enzymes within the animal production chain. Veterinary Research. Yousef I. Hassan, Ludovic Lahaye, Max M. Gong, Jian Peng, Joshua Gong, Song Liu, Cyril G. Gay, Chengbo Yang.
DOI: 10.1186/s13567-018-0559-1

2017. Understanding the mechanisms of zinc bacitracin and avilamycin on animal production: linking gut microbiota and growth performance in chickens. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. Eduardo Crisol-Martínez, Dragana Stanley, Mark S. Geier, Robert J. Hughes, Robert J. Moore.
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-017-8193-9

2013. Supplementations of ornithine and KNO3 enhanced bacitracin production by Bacillus licheniformis LC-11. Annals of Microbiology. Xiong Chen, Fuli Xie, Xinnian Zeng, Dongsheng Li, Shouwen Chen, Junhui Li, Zhi Wang.
DOI: 10.1007/s13213-013-0682-1