Antifungal activity of bacitracin and its interaction with metals.

ABSTRACT

Bacitracin was more growth-inhibitory to Neurospora crassa on a minimal magnesium medium than on a normal magnesium-medium. Both magnesium and manganese were able to counteract the growth inhibition. The antifungal activity of bacitracin was potentiated by zinc. Potassium could not counteract the growth inhibition by this antibiotic. The mycelial magnesium levels were low in bacitracin-inhibited cultures.