Article
Article
Penicillin
Article By:
Lowe, D. A. Department of Fermentation Development, Industrial Division, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
Last reviewed:March 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.495850
One of a series of beta-lactam antibiotics, all possessing a four-ring beta-lactam structure fused with a five-membered thiazolidine ring, that are produced naturally by Penicillium molds or prepared synthetically. Penicillin (Fig. 1) is one of the most important antibiotic agents and is used to treat numerous bacterial infections. Occurring in a variety of forms, penicillin kills sensitive bacteria during their growth stage by inhibiting biosynthesis of the bacterial cell-wall mucopeptide (peptidoglycan). See also: Antibiotic; Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Bacterial physiology and metabolism; Bacteriology; Cell (biology); Cell biology; Lactam
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