Chromatographic isolation of potentially novel antibiotic compounds produced by Yimella sp. RIT 621

OBJECTIVE: Antibiotic resistant infections have become a global health crisis causing 1.2 million deaths worldwide in 2019 [1]. In a previous study, we identified a bacterium from a rare genus, Yimella, and found in an initial antibiotic screening that they produce broad-spectrum bactericidal compounds [2]. Herein, we focus on the characterization of these potential novel antimicrobial compounds produced by Yimella sp. RIT 621. RESULTS: We used solid-phase extraction and C18 reverse-phase chromatography to isolate the antibiotic-active compounds found in organic extracts from liquid cultures of Yimella sp. RIT 621. We tracked the antimicrobial activity by testing the extracts in disc diffusion inhibitory assays and observed its increase after each purification stage.