Streptomyces novoguineensis sp. nov., an amipurimycin producer, and antimicrobial activity of amipurimycin.

A taxonomic study of Streptomyces strain T-36496, which produces an antibiotic effective against rice blast, revealed that it represented a new taxon and it was named Streptomyces novoguineensis sp. nov. The antibiotic, which was named amipurimycin, showed antifungal activity in vitro and considerable curative effect on leaf blast both in green house and field tests at concentrations ranging from 10 to 20 ppm. It was also effective against neck and panicle blast at the same concentration range.