Streptomycin

Streptomycin	Last updated: 04/09/2025
(Also known as: streptomycine; streptamine; streptomycin A ; Crop antibiotic)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A narrow-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic used in veterinary medicine

Examples of veterinary uses

Used for the management of bacterial infections such as E. coli, Klebsiella spp. and some species of Proteus, Pasteurella and Salmonella

Examples of species treated

Cattle; Sheep; Horses; Cats; Dogs

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription-only-medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Streptomycin exhibits stereoisomerism, which arises from its multiple chiral centres. Structurally, it is an aminoglycoside antibiotic composed of three key moieties: streptidine, streptose, and N-methyl-L-glucosamine, all of which contain several chiral centres. The spatial arrangement of these groups is critical for its biological activity, particularly its ability to bind to the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes and disrupt protein synthesis. While streptomycin itself is typically used as a single stereoisomer in clinical settings, its biosynthesis by Streptomyces griseus can theoretically yield different stereoisomeric forms. However, only the naturally occurring stereoisomer has the desired antibiotic activity.

Chemical formula

C₂₁H₃₉N₇O₁₂

Canonical SMILES

CC1C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(C(C2O)O)N=C(N)N)O)N=C(N)N)OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)NC)(C=O)O

Isomeric SMILES

C[C@@H]1[C@]([C@@H]([C@H](O1)O[C@@H]2[C@H]([C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H]2O)O)N=C(N)N)O)N=C(N)N)O[C@@H]3[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O3)CO)O)O)NC)(C=O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

UCSJYZPVAKXKNQ-APUVXCOVSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C21H39N7O12/c1-5-21(36,4-30)16(40-17-9(26-2)13(34)10(31)6(3-29)38-17)18(37-5)39-15-8(28-20(24)25)11(32)7(27-19(22)23)12(33)14(15)35/h4-18,26,29,31-36H,3H2,1-2H3,(H4,22,23,27)(H4,24,25,28)/t5-,6-,7-,8+,9-,10-,11-,12+,13-,14-,15-,16-,17-,18-,21+/m1/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Medicinal drug

Other bioactivity & uses

Other substance

Substance groups

Micro-organism

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

A aminoglycoside that inhibites protein biosynthesis, systemic action

Molecular targets

[30S ribosomal protein S12, Antagonist], [16S rRNA, Antagonist]

CAS RN

57-92-1

EC number

200-355-3

CIPAC number

312

US EPA chemical code

006306

PubChem CID

19649

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for systemic use

ATCvet Code

QJ01GA01

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: Ruminants, Porcine, Rabbits)

Molecular mass

581.57

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

O-2-deoxy-2-methylamino-α-L-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-O-5-deoxy-3-C-formyl-α-L-lyxofuranosyl-(1-4)-N1,N3-diamidino-D-streptamine

CAS name

O-2-deoxy-2-(methylamino)-α-L-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-O-5-deoxy-3-C-formyl-α-L-lyxofuranosyl-(1-4)-N,N'-bis(aminoiminomethyl)-D-streptamine

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White powder

Related substances & organisms

streptomycin sulphate

Commercial

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

Legal Class (GB/UK)

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1944, first reported; 1958, commericalised USA

Example products (past and present) using this active

Formulation and application details

Usually formulated as a suspension for intramammary injection in combination with other medicinal drugs

Commercial production

Commerically, streptomycin is produced uses a fermentation process based on Streptococcus griseus together with a natural source of carbon and nitrogen, and a growth stimulating compound

Impact on climate of production and use

As microbial-based products tend to use fermentation-based production processes rather than chemical synthesis, they typically have a lower fossil fuel input in formulation and active ingredient creation, and also have reduced downstream emissions due to biodegradability and minimal soil disruption, their life-cycle GHG emissions are expected to be low. Whilst hard and precise data is not available, broad estimates suggest that typically emissions are likely to be below 5 kg CO₂e/kg.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

1000000

at 25 °C

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

3.16 X 10^-08

Calculated

Log P

-7.5

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

n/a

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

7.76 X 10^-23

at 25 °C

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

8.52 X 10^-39

at 25 °C

Non-volatile

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

1.0

Non-persistent

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

Moderately mobile

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

339

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

0.00

Calculated

Low leachability

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Low risk

Based on LogP < 3

Low risk

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 9000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 4640

Anas platyrhynchos

Low

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 180

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Low

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

487

Daphnia magna

Low

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)

0.133

Raphidocelis subcapitata

Moderate

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 9000

Rat

Low

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

325

Mouse

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 525 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

Intravenous LDLo = 175 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Majority of oral dose is excreted in the faeces. Parenteral administration leads to urinal elimination.

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause rashes, hives, headache, drop in blood pressure, nausea and vomiting
Possible kidney toxicant
May cause hearing dysfunction

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

streptomycin

French

streptomycine

German

Streptomyzin

Danish

Italian

streptomicina

Spanish

estreptomicina

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	04/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242