Antibiotics

Antibiotics are drugs which are used for the treatment of bacterial infectious diseases of humans and animals. Antibiotics of natural origin are mainly produced in fungi. Penicillin, as one of the most prominent representatives, is currently made from cultures of Penicillium chrysogenum.

Antibiotics are divided in different groups according to their chemical structure and biological activity. The main groups are Beta-Lactams (Penicillin), Aminoglycosides (Streptomycin), Amphenicoles (Chloramphenicol), Sulfonamides, Makrolides, Nitrofurans und Tetracyclins.

The prophylactical use of antibiotics in animal delivering foodstuffs is either prohibited or subject of Maximal Residue Limits (MRL) according to the EU directive 2377/90.