The effect of palitantin, a metabolite ofPenicillium frequentans onLeishmania brasiliensis

A compound with an antiprotozoal effect againstLeishmania brasiliensis was isolated from the submerged culture ofPenicillium frequentans 60A/7 which was collected in this country. The active compound was characterised as palitantin, a metabolite of several strains ofPenicillium the antibiotic activity of which has not yet been reported. The investigated strain produced 200–500mg of palitantin per liter of medium during submerged cultivation and also a small quantity of frequentin: 10–20mg per liter. Frequentin has no activity againstLeishmania brasiliensis and several other investigated protozoa.