Oleandomycin

Oleandomycin	Last updated: 15/09/2025
(Also known as: amimycin ; matromycin; landomycin; PA-105)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Veterinary macrolide antibiotic drug produced by Streptomyces antibioticus

Examples of veterinary uses

Used in some countries to treat and prevent diseases and promote growth in food-producing animals

Examples of species treated

Pigs; Poultry; Cattle

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Oleandomycin exhibits stereoisomerism, which stems from its intricate macrolide structure, a 14-membered lactone ring with multiple chiral centres. These chiral centres are located both in the aglycone core and in the attached sugar moieties: oleandrose and desosamine. The spatial arrangement of atoms around these centres leads to the formation of diastereomers and optical isomers, each with distinct three-dimensional configurations.

Chemical formula

C₃₅H₆₁NO₁₂

Canonical SMILES

CC1CC(C(C(O1)OC2C(CC3(CO3)C(=O)C(C(C(C(OC(=O)C(C(C2C)OC4CC(C(C(O4)C)O)OC)C)C)C)O)C)C)O)N(C)C

Isomeric SMILES

C[C@H]1C[C@]2(CO2)C(=O)[C@@H]([C@H]([C@H]([C@H](OC(=O)[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H]1OC3C(C(CC(O3)C)N(C)C)O)C)OC4CC(C(C(O4)C)O)OC)C)C)C)O)C

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

RZPAKFUAFGMUPI-UQXMPEMXSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C35H61NO12/c1-16-14-35(15-43-35)32(40)19(4)27(37)18(3)22(7)46-33(41)21(6)31(47-26-13-25(42-11)28(38)23(8)45-26)20(5)30(16)48-34-29(39)24(36(9)10)12-17(2)44-34/h16-31,34,37-39H,12-15H2,1-11H3/t16-,17+,18-,19+,20+,21+,22+,23-,24-,25-,26-,27-,28-,29+,30-,31-,34-,35-/m0/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Medicinal drug, Feed additive, growth Promotor

Substance groups

Macrolide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Interferes with protein synthesis

Molecular targets

[50s subunit of bacterial ribosomes, Binder]

CAS RN

3922-90-5

EC number

223-495-7

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

5284598

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for system use

ATCvet Code

QJ01FA05

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

687.86

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(3S,5S,6S,7R,8S,9R,12R,13R,14S,15R)-6-[(2S,3R,4S,6R)-4-(dimethylamino)-3-hydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-14-hydroxy-8-[(2R,4S,5S,6S)-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-5,7,9,12,13,15-hexamethyl-1,11-dioxaspiro[2.13]hexadecane-10,16-dione

CAS name

Global Governance status: Listed (✓) under

UK Poisons List Order 1972	Rotterdam Convention	Montreal Protocol
XNo The Poisons List Order 1972	XNo Rotterdam Convention	XNo Montreal Protocol
Stockholm Convention	OSPAR	EU Water Framework Directive
XNo Stockholm Convention	XNo OSPAR	XNo EU Water Framework Directive

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Forever chemical

Other status information

Evidence of use in third world countries

Physical state

White amorphous powder

Related substances & organisms

tetracycline

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1954, first described

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

Rosa-Phytopharma France

Example products using this active

Sigmamycine

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied as a feed additive often combined with tetracycline

Commercial production

Oleandomycin is produced through a microbial fermentation process using Streptomyces antibioticus, a soil-dwelling bacterium known for synthesising macrolide antibiotics. The biosynthesis begins with the formation of the oleandolide ring, catalysed by a modular type I polyketide synthase that condenses acetyl-CoA with several methylmalonyl-CoA units. This intermediate undergoes epoxidation at specific carbon positions via a P-450 monooxygenase to complete the macrolactone structure. Next, two sugar units, oleandrose and desosamine, are attached through sequential glycosylation steps, each mediated by specific glycosyltransferases. To prevent self-toxicity, the bacterium temporarily inactivates oleandomycin by adding a glucose moiety intracellularly, which is later removed by an extracellular glucosidase to restore its antibiotic activity. After fermentation, the compound is extracted, purified, and formulated for veterinary or research use.

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 at pH 7 (mg l⁻¹)

15.5

at 25 °C

Moderate

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

4.90 X 10⁰¹

Calculated

Log P

1.69

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

8.5

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

4.53 X 10^-20

Low volatility

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

Methanol: 286-289nm

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Substance may enter the environment via the faeces of treated animals or by leaching from spilt medicated feed.

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

Non-persistent

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)

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)

> 6700

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

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

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

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

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)

Beneficial insects (Butterflies)

Contact

Notes

Oral

Notes

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)

> 6700

Rat

Low

Mammals - Short Term Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Mammals - Long Term (Chronic) Oral NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

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

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ > 10000 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intravenous LD₅₀ = 440 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

Excreted mainly in the bile

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

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 hyposensitivity
May cause gastrointestinal problems

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

When heated to decomposition emits toxic vapors of NOx

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

oleandomycin

French

oleandomycine

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

oleandomicina

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	15/09/2025
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

Your use of this website and its various databases is subject to the terms detailed in the University of Hertfordshire’s copyright and IPR statement that can be found at https://www.herts.ac.uk/about-us/legal. In addition, your use of this website and its various databases is subject to the terms of this additional Copyright Statement and the database Conditions of use document. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the content of this website and databases are owned and controlled by the University of Hertfordshire. Site content, including its selection and arrangement, is owned by the University of Hertfordshire and is protected by copyright and other laws. Except as otherwise expressly permitted under copyright law or within the database Conditions of Use document, the content of this site may not be copied, reproduced, republished, downloaded, posted, broadcast or transmitted in any way without first obtaining the University of Hertfordshire’s written permission. By using our databases the user is deemed to have agreed to comply with all of the terms and conditions as described above and within all relevant documentation.