An improved method using acetyl-coenzyme A regeneration for the enzymic inactivation of aminoglycosides prior to sterility testing

Aminoglycoside antibiotics may be inactivated by acetylation before they are tested for sterility. A method is described for producing acetyl-coenzyme A in situ which enhances the level of inactivation and reduces the cost of the procedure. Phosphotransacetylase was prepared from Escherichia coli B and its suitability for recycling acetyl-coenzyme A to be used in acetylating aminoglycosides was investigated. The whole recycling mixture was successfully lyophilized which makes the procedure suitable for use in both large and small laboratories for sterility testing of aminoglycoside antibiotics instead of the more common method of membrane filtration.