Kanamycin sulfate
[CAS# 25389-94-0]

Identification

• Classification: API >> Antibiotics >> Other antibiotics
• Name: Kanamycin sulfate
• Synonyms: Kanamytrex; Kantrex; Kantrim; Kanamycin A monosulfate
• Molecular Formula: C₁₈H₃₆N₄O₁₁.H₂SO₄;C₁₈H₃₈N₄O₁₅S
• Molecular Weight: 582.57
• CAS Registry Number: 25389-94-0
• EC Number: 246-933-9
• SMILES: C1[C@H]([C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H]1N)O[C@@H]2[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O2)CN)O)O)O)O)O[C@@H]3[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O3)CO)O)N)O)N.OS(=O)(=O)O

Properties

• Solubility: 75 mM (water), 16mg/mL (DMSO)
• Melting point: 250 °C

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS08 Danger
• Risk Statements: H360
• Safety Statements: P203-P280-P318-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1B	H360
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1A	H360
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302
Respiratory sensitization	Resp. Sens.	1	H334
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	2	H361
Eye irritation	Eye Irrit.	2	H319
Skin irritation	Skin Irrit.	2	H315
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H301
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H311
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1B	H360D
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	3	H331
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	2	H371
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	1	H410
Acute hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Acute	1	H400

Discovery and Applications

Kanamycin sulfate, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, was discovered by Japanese microbiologist Hamao Umezawa in 1957. It was isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces kanamyceticus, found in soil samples. This discovery came during a period of intense research into natural antibiotics, following the success of penicillin and streptomycin. Kanamycin sulfate's ability to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis marked it as a significant medical breakthrough, particularly useful in combating infections caused by Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria.

Kanamycin sulfate is primarily used to treat severe bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Gram-negative bacteria such as *Escherichia coli*, *Klebsiella pneumoniae*, and *Proteus species*. It is effective against infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. Due to its efficacy in inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, kanamycin sulfate is also used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), providing an essential option for patients when other antibiotics fail.

In veterinary medicine, kanamycin sulfate is employed to treat bacterial infections in animals, including livestock and pets. It is used to manage infections in various animals, such as respiratory infections in cattle and swine, and skin infections in dogs and cats. Its broad-spectrum activity makes it a valuable tool for ensuring the health and productivity of livestock.

Kanamycin sulfate is extensively used in molecular biology and genetic research. It serves as a selective agent in bacterial culture media, where it is used to select and maintain cells that contain kanamycin-resistance genes. This application is crucial in cloning and genetic engineering experiments, where only bacteria that have successfully incorporated the desired genetic material survive in the presence of kanamycin. This selective pressure simplifies the identification and propagation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

In agriculture, kanamycin sulfate is sometimes used to control bacterial diseases in plants. It is applied to prevent and treat bacterial infections in crops, ensuring higher yields and better quality produce.

Kanamycin sulfate is used in the manufacturing of certain pharmaceuticals where bacterial contamination must be strictly controlled. It helps maintain sterility and prevents bacterial growth in the production process of vaccines, biologics, and other sterile pharmaceutical products.

References

2025. Quinic acid enhances kanamycin efficacy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Microbial Pathogenesis, 198.
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.107145

2024. Gold/DNA-Cu2+ Complex Nanozyme-Based Aptamer Lateral Flow Assay for Highly Sensitive Detection of Kanamycin. Molecules, 29(19).
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29194569

1979. Effects of Local Application of Ototoxic Antibiotics on Cochlear Potentials in Guinea Pigs. Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 88(1-2).
DOI: 10.3109/00016487909137138