Thiamphenicol is a bacteriostatic antibiotic derived from chloramphenicol. Like chloramphenicol, Thiamphenicol is insoluble in water but highly soluble in lipids.
Mechanism of Action | Both thiamphenicol and chloramphenicol work by the same mechanism, however, Thiamphenicol is about 3X as potent. After entering a bacterial cell, Thiamphenicol binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit preventing peptide bond formation. Resistance to Thiamphenicol may be due to decreased cell permeability or a mutation in the 50S ribosomal subunit. |
Spectrum | Thiamphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly used to target bacteria responsible for causing sexually transmitted diseases. |
Microbiology Applications |
Thiamphenicol is commonly used in clinical in vitro microbiological antimicrobial susceptibility tests (panels, discs, and MIC strips) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbial isolates. Medical microbiologists use AST results to recommend antibiotic treatment options. Representative MIC values include:
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Plant Biology Applications | Thiamphenicol was used for contamination control in hybrid walnut propagation. In addition to other antibiotics used during the study, Thiamphenicol was found to be effective against several Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria (Meynier et al, 1989). |
Molecular Formula |
C12H15Cl2NO5S |
Solubility | Acetonitrile: Soluble Alcohol: Soluble Dimethylacetamide: Soluble Dimethylformamide: Soluble Water: Slightly soluble |
Absorbance | UV max (95% ethanol): 224, 266, 274 nm (ε 13,700, 800, 700). |
References |
Duck, P. D., and J. R. Dillon. "Effects of Thiamphenicol and Chloramphenicol in Inhibiting Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Isolates." Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 14.5 (1978): 788-90. www.ncbi.gov. 26 July 1978. Web. 21 Aug. 2012. Mayer, Gene, Dr. "Antibiotics - Protein Synthesis, Nucleic Acid Synthesis, and Metabolism." University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Web. 21 Aug. 2012. Meynier V. and Arnould M.F., 1989, Compared Effectiveness of Antibiotic Treatments and Shoot Tip Culture on Bacterial Decontamination of an in vitro Propagated Clone of Hybrid Walnut (Juglans nigra x J. regia). Biologia Plantarum (PRAHA) 31 (4): 269-275. 1989 |