Valinomycin

Valinomycin	Last updated: 09/09/2025
(Also known as: Antibiotic N-329 B)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A potent antibiotic active again gram-positive bacteria and shown to also have antiviral properties, Reported to be a potent agent against SARS-CoV in humans

Examples of veterinary uses

Currently mainly used for research purposes

Examples of species treated

Cattle; Sheep

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Valinomycin exhibits stereoisomerism, specifically optical isomerism, due to the presence of multiple chiral centres in its cyclic structure. It is a cyclododecadepsipeptide, composed of alternating units of D-valine, L-valine, D-α-hydroxyisovaleric acid, and L-lactic acid, forming a 36-membered ring. Each amino acid and hydroxy acid unit contributes one or more chiral centres, resulting in a highly stereochemically complex molecule.

Chemical formula

C₅₄H₉₀N₆O₁₈

Canonical SMILES

CC1C(=O)NC(C(=O)OC(C(=O)NC(C(=O)OC(C(=O)NC(C(=O)OC(C(=O)NC(C(=O)OC(C(=O)NC(C(=O)OC(C(=O)NC(C(=O)O1)C(C)C)C(C)C)C(C)C)C)C(C)C)C(C)C)C(C)C)C)C(C)C)C(C)C)C(C)C

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

FCFNRCROJUBPLU-GGUWDUSBSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C54H90N6O18/c1-22(2)34-49(67)73-31(19)43(61)55-38(26(9)10)53(71)77-41(29(15)16)47(65)59-36(24(5)6)51(69)75-33(21)45(63)57-39(27(11)12)54(72)78-42(30(17)18)48(66)60-35(23(3)4)50(68)74-32(20)44(62)56-37(25(7)8)52(70)76-40(28(13)14)46(64)58-34/h22-42H,1-21H3,(H,55,61)(H,56,62)(H,57,63)(H,58,64)(H,59,65)(H,60,66

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
valinomycin	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Coccidiostats

Substance groups

Ionophore drug; Micro-organism derived drug

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Induces cell death, increases the transport of potassium ions across cell membranes

Molecular targets

[PINK1, Activation], [Parkin phosphorylation at Ser65, Agonist]

CAS RN

2001-95-8

EC number

217-896-6

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

ATCvet Code

None allocated

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

1111.32

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

cyclo(D-α-hydroxyisovaleryl-D-valyl-L-lactoyl-L-valyl-D-α-hydroxyisovaleryl-D-valyl-Lactoyl-L-valyl-D-α-hydroxyisovaleryl-D-valyl-L-lactoyl-L-valyl)

CAS name

1,7,13,19,25,31-Hexaoxa-4,10,16,22,28,34-hexaazacyclohexatriacontane-2,5,8,11,14,17,20,23,26,29,32,35-dodecone, 12,24,36-trimetyl-3,6,9,15,18,21,27,30,33-nonakis(1-methylethyl)-

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White solid

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Novel

Introduction & key dates

1955, first isolated; 1960, first recognised as a potassium-selective ionophore

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Brockmann and Schmidt-Kastner

Example products using this active

None - never marketed

Formulation and application details

Not applicable

Commercial production

Valinomycin is produced through microbial fermentation or recombinant biosynthesis, typically using Streptomyces fulvissimus or engineered strains like Escherichia coli. In recombinant systems, the biosynthetic genes encoding nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are introduced into the host, enabling it to assemble valinomycin from precursors such as D- and L-valine, D-α-hydroxyisovaleric acid, and L-lactic acid. Production is optimised using fed-batch cultivation, where glucose is gradually supplied to maintain controlled growth and maximize yield. Parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen, and cell density are closely monitored, and enzyme-based glucose release systems are often used to fine-tune the process. After fermentation, valinomycin is extracted using organic solvents and purified via chromatographic techniques.

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)

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

Melting point (°C)

172

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

3.09 X 10⁰⁴

Calculated

Log P

4.49

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.060

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

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

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)

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)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

4.0

Rat

High

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

4.0

Rat

High

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

5.0

Rabbit

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 39 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 4.14 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

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

Data is scarce but likely cleared through hepatic metabolism followed by biliary excretion

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

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

Very toxic by ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation
Possible cardiovascular system, eyes and nervous system toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1
May emit toxic fumes when heated
Corrosive

CLP classification 2013

Health: H300, H310

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

UN2811

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group I (great danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

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valinomycin

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Record last updated:	09/09/2025
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