Antibiotic Selection Guide from Sigma Life Science

For a comprehensive listing of antibiotics for tissue culture, gene expression, plasmid selection, and analytical testing, and to try our new online Antibiotic Selector for additional application and usage information, visit sigma.com/antibiotics

Biotechnology Performance
Insect Cell Culture Tested
Plant Cell Culture Tested

Effective Against: Application:

γ-irradiated Cat. No.

Immunosuppresive
Cell Culture Tested

Certified Cat. No.*

Antineoplastic or
Solution Cat. No.
Reagent Cat. No.

Selection Agent
Mycobacteria

Mycoplasma

Cell Culture
Cat. No.

Cat. No.

Cat. No.

Gram +

Viruses
Gram -

Molds
Yeast
Working Stock Solution Solution
Name Name Concentration Solvent Concentration Stock Solution Storage Storage Stability at 37°C Mode of Action
Actinomycin D A4262 A9415 • • • Actinomycin D 1 μg/mL Ethanol or DMSO 1 mg/mL 1 month at −20°C; light sensitive 2–8°C Complexes with DNA and interferes with RNA synthesis
Amphotericin B A4888 A2942 A2411 • • • Amphotericin B 2.5 mg/L DMSO or DMF 30 mg/mL 1 month at 2–8°C 2–8°C 3 days Interferes with the permeability of cell membrane of sensitive fungi by binding sterols
Amphotericin B solubilized A9528 • • • Amphotericin B solubilized 5.6 mg/L H2O 20 mg/mL 1 month at 2–8°C 2–8°C 3 days Interferes with the permeability of cell membrane of sensitive fungi by binding sterols
Ampicillin sodium salt A9518 A5354 **
A0166 A8351 A2804 • • • Ampicillin sodium salt 100 mg/L H2O 50 mg/mL 3 weeks at 2–8°C or 4 months at −20°C; pH ≤7 2–8°C 3 days Inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis (peptidoglycan cross-linking) by inactivating transpeptidases on the
inner surface of the bacterial cell membrane
Bacitracin zinc salt B5150 • • Bacitracin zinc salt 1M HCl 50 mg/mL Unstable in aqueous solutions at room temp. 2–8°C Interferes with cell wall synthesis
Blasticidine S hydrochloride 15205 • Blasticidine S hydrochloride 50 μg/mL H 2O 10 mg/mL Aliquot 1–2 weeks at 2–8°C or 6-8 weeks at −20°C; −20°C Interferes with protein synthesis
unstable in alkali
Bleomycin sulfate B5507 B8416 B2434 • • • Bleomycin sulfate 10-100 μg/mL H 2O 20 mg/mL 2–8°C Complexes with DNA, causing strand scissions
Carbenicillin disodium salt C1389 C1613** C3416 • • • Carbenicillin disodium salt 100 μg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL Aliquot 3 months at −20°C; pH 6 2–8°C 3 days Inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis (peptidoglycan cross-linking) by inactivating transpeptidases on the
inner surface of the bacterial cell membrane
Cefazolin sodium salt C5020 • • Cefazolin sodium salt 1-20 μg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL 14 days at 2–8°C 2–8°C 1 day Interferes with cell wall synthesis
Cefotaxime sodium salt C7912 C7039 • • • Cefotaxime sodium salt 500 μg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL 3 weeks at 2–8°C; pH 4–6 2–8 °C Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis
Cefsulodin sodium salt C8145 • • Cefsulodin sodium salt 10-50 μg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL 5 days at 2–8°C or 30 days at −20°C; acidic pH 2–8°C Interferes with cell wall synthesis
Cephalothin sodium salt C4520 C3050 • • Cephalothin sodium salt 100 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 2–8°C; avoid light 2–8°C 3 days Inhibits cell wall synthesis
Chloramphenicol C0378 C1919 C1863 C7795 • • • • • • Chloramphenicol 10-35 μg/mL Ethanol 50 mg/mL 30 days at 2–8°C Room Temp. Inhibits translation on the 50S ribosomal subunit at the peptidyltransferase step (elongation inhibition)
Chloramphenicol-Water Soluble C3175 • • • • • Chloramphenicol-Water Soluble 5 μg/mL H2O or PBS 50 mg/mL 30 days at 2–8°C Room Temp. Inhibits translation on the 50S ribosomal subunit at the peptidyltransferase step (elongation inhibition)
Clindamycin Hydrochloride C5269 • • Clindamycin Hydrochloride 10 μg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL −20°C; protect from light 2–8°C Inhibits protein synthesis in bacteria by binding the 50s ribosomal subunit
Colistin methanesulfonate sodium salt C1511 • Colistin methanesulfonate sodium salt 1-20 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 1 day at 2–8°C; pH 6 2–8°C <12 hours Interferes with cell membrane permeability (ionophore)
Cycloheximide C7698 C4859 **
C1988 • • • • Cycloheximide 1-50 μg/mL H2O or Ethanol 20 mg/mL 2 weeks at 2–8°C; pH 3–5 2–8°C Interferes with protein synthesis
D-Cycloserine C3909 C7670 • • • • D-Cycloserine 100-200 μg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL 1 week at 2–8°C or aliquot at −20°C; pH 10 −20°C Inhibits cell wall biosynthesis (d-Ala peptide bond formation)
Dihydrostreptomycin sesquisulfate D7253 D5155 • • • Dihydrostreptomycin sesquisulfate 100 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 30 days at 2–8°C 2–8°C 5 days Inhibits protein synthesis by interfering with translation
Doxorubicin hydrochloride D1515 • • Doxorubicin hydrochloride 1-5 mg/mL H2O or DMSO 50 mg/mL 30 days at 2–8°C; avoid light, neutral pH 2–8°C Interferes with DNA synthesis
Doxycycline hyclate D9891 • • • • Doxycycline hyclate 10 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 3 days at 2–8°C 2–8°C Interferes with protein synthesis
Erythromycin E6376 E5389 E7904 • • • Erythromycin 100 mg/L 2M HCl or Ethanol 50 mg/mL 2 weeks at 2–8°C Room Temp. 3 days Inhibits elongation at transpeptidation step
G 418 disulfate salt G5013 G8168 A1720 G1279 • • • G 418 disulfate salt 100-800 μg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL Aliquot 6 months at −20°C to –70°C 2–8°C 8 days Blocks polypeptide synthesis by inhibiting protein elongation
Gentamicin sulfate salt G3632 G1397, G1264 • • • • Gentamicin sulfate salt 50 mg/L H2O 50 mg/mL 30 days at 2–8°C; sterile-filtered 2–8°C 5 days Causes codon misreading by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit, blocking the translocation of
G1272 peptidyl-tRNA from the acceptor site to the donor site
Hygromycin B from Streptomyces hygroscopicus H7772 H5527 H3274 H9773 H3274 H5527 • • • Hygromycin B from Streptomyces hygroscopicus 100-200 µg/mL H2O 50 mg/mL 3 months at 2–8°C 2–8°C 30 days Blocks polypeptide synthesis and inhibits elongation
Ionomycin I9657 I3909 **
• • Ionomycin 1-5 mg/L DMSO 10 mg/mL 3 months at −20°C; argon, protect from light −20°C Interferes with cell membrane permeability (ionophore)
Kanamycin sulfate from Streptomyces kanamyceticus K1377 K4378 K0879 • • • • • Kanamycin sulfate from Streptomyces kanamyceticus 100 mg/L H2O 50 mg/mL 30 days at 2–8°C; sterile-filtered Room Temp. 5 days Binds to 70S ribosomal subunit; inhibits translocation; elicits miscoding
Ketoconazole K1003 • • Ketoconazole 0.2-1 μg/mL DMSO or Warm Ethanol 20 mg/mL 3 months at room temp.; pH 7, 0.1% BHT 2–8°C Inhibits an enzyme, ergosterol biosynthesis
Lincomycin hydrochloride L6004 L2774 • • Lincomycin hydrochloride 100 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 30 days at −20°C 2–8°C 4 days Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis
Mitomycin C from Streptomyces caespitosus M0503 M4287 • • • • Mitomycin C from Streptomyces caespitosus 10-100 μg/mL H 2O 1 viaL/4mL 7 days at 2–8°C; pH 6–9, discard if precipitate forms 2–8°C Inhibits DNA synthesis, nuclear division, and cancer cells
Mycophenolic acid M5255 M3536 • • • Mycophenolic acid 25 μg/mL Methanol or 0.1M NaOH 10 mg/mL 2 weeks at −20°C; sterile-filtered 2–8°C Blocks inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase in guanosine monophosphate pathway
Neomycin hydrate trisulfate salt N1876 N1142 N6386 N6910 • • • • Neomycin hydrate trisulfate salt 50 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 2–8°C; sterile-filtered Room Temp. 5 days Causes miscoding and inhibits initiation and elongation
Novobiocin sodium salt N1628 • • Novobiocin sodium salt 1-10 mg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL 5 days at 2–8°C 2–8°C Inhibits DNA synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme Topoisomerase II
Nystatin N3503 N6261 N4014 • • • Nystatin 50 mg/L Methanol or DMSO 2 mg/mL Prepare fresh −20°C 3 days Increases the permeability of the cell membrane of sensitive fungi by binding to sterols
Nystatin preparation, suspension N1638 • • • Nystatin preparation, suspension 24 mL/L −20°C 3 days Increases the permeability of the cell membrane of sensitive fungi by binding to sterols
Paromomycin sulfate salt P9297 P5057 P8692 • • • Paromomycin sulfate salt 100 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 2–8°C Room Temp. 5 days Inhibits initiation and elongation during protein synthesis
Penicillin − Streptomycin − Neomycin Solution (100x) Stabilized P4083 • • • Penicillin − Streptomycin − Neomycin Solution (100x) Stabilized 10 mL/L −20°C 3 days See action of penicillin, streptomycin and neomycin
Penicillin G potassium salt PENK P7794 • • Penicillin G potassium salt 100,000 U/L H2O 100 mg/mL 1 week at 2–8°C or extended periods at −20°C; sterile-filtered Room Temp. 3 days Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis
Penicillin G sodium salt PENNA P3032 • • Penicillin G sodium salt 100,000 U/L H 2O 100 mg/mL 1 week at 2–8°C or extended periods at −20°C; sterile-filtered Room Temp. 3 days Inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis
Penicillin V potassium salt P4807 • • Penicillin V potassium salt 100,000 U/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 1 week at 2–8°C or extended periods at −20°C; sterile-filtered Room Temp. 3 days Interferes with final stage of bacterial cell wall synthesis
Polymyxin B sulfate salt P1004 P4932 P4119 • • • Polymyxin B sulfate salt 50 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 2 weeks at 2–8°C 2–8°C 5 days Binds to and interferes with the permeability of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane
Puromycin aminonucleoside P7130 • • • Puromycin aminonucleoside 1-10 μg/mL H 2O 50 mg/mL 2–8°C Interferes with protein synthesis
Puromycin dihydrochloride from Streptomyces alboniger P7255 P9620** P8833 • • • • Puromycin dihydrochloride from Streptomyces alboniger 1-10 μg/mL H2O 50 mg/mL Aliquot 3 weeks at −20°C; sterile-filtered −20°C Inhibits protein synthesis
Rapamycin R0395 R8781** • Rapamycin DMSO 25 mg/mL Aliquot –20°C to –70°C −20°C Inhibits an enzyme
Rifampicin R3501 R7382 R5777 R8883 • • • • Rifampicin up to 50 µg/mL DMSO 100 mg/mL 3 months at 2–8°C −20°C Inhibits initiation of RNA synthesis by binding to β-subunit of RNA polymerase
Spectinomycin pentahydrate dihydrochloride S9007 S0692 **
S4014 S1317 S2647 • • • Spectinomycin pentahydrate dihydrochloride 7.5-20 mg/L H2O 50 mg/mL 2 weeks at 2–8°C or three months at −20°C 2–8°C Inhibits elongation at transpeptidation step
Streptomycin sulfate salt S6501 85886 S9137 S0774 S2522 • • • Streptomycin sulfate salt 25-100 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 1 week at 2–8°C or extended periods at −20°C; sterile-filtered 2–8°C 3 days Inhibits prokaryote protein synthesis; binds to S12 protein of 30S ribosomal subunit, preventing the
transition from initiation complex to chain-elongating ribosome, causing miscoding or inhibiting initiation
Sulfanilamide S9251 • • • Sulfanilamide 0.5M HCl 50 mg/mL Room Temp. Inhibits folic acid synthesis in prokaryotes
Tetracycline hydrochloride T3383 T7660 T9823 T8032 • • • Tetracycline hydrochloride 10-20 μg/mL H2O 50 mg/mL −20°C; sterile-filtered −20°C 4 days Inhibits protein synthesis (elongation) by preventing binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the 30S subunit
Thiabendazole T8904 T5535 • • Thiabendazole DMF or DMSO 50 mg/mL 3 weeks at 2–8°C Room Temp. Interferes with protein synthesis, cell division, and cellular respiration
Tylosin tartrate T6134 T6271 • • • Tylosin tartrate 8 mg/L H 2O 50 mg/mL 2–8°C 3 days Interferes with bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S subunit
Valinomycin V0627 V3639 **
• Valinomycin ~1 mg/mL DMSO 10 mg/mL 2 weeks at 2–8°C 2–8°C Interferes with cell membrane permeability (ionophores)
Vancomycin hydrochloride from Streptomyces orientalis V2002 V1130 V1764 • • Vancomycin hydrochloride from Streptomyces orientalis up to 40 µg/mL H2O 50 mg/mL 2–8°C; pH 3–5 2–8°C Interferes with cell wall synthesis
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* Biotechnology Performance Certified (BPC) are high-purity, cell culture tested and endotoxin tested. 71158-508362
** Ready Made Solutions are sterile-filtered, ready-to-use formulations. 0039