Tylosin tartrate

Tylosin tartrate	Last updated: 14/09/2025
(Not known by any other names)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A macrolide broad spectrum natural antibiotic licensed for use in livestock

Examples of veterinary uses

Used for the treatment of various infections e.g. pneumonia, foot rot and shipping fever in cattle. Banned in EU as growth promotor; Not approved as a feed additive in EU

Examples of species treated

Cattle; Pigs; Poultry

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

Tylosin tartrate exhibits chiral isomerism, arising from multiple stereocentres in both the tylosin molecule and the tartrate counterion. Tylosin has a large, complex lactone ring and several sugar moieties, each containing asymmetric carbon atoms. These chiral centres define the molecule’s three-dimensional configuration. The tartrate component, derived from tartaric acid, also exists in optically active forms, most commonly as (2R,3R)- or (2S,3S)-tartrate. When combined, tylosin tartrate forms a salt that retains the stereochemical integrity of both components.

Chemical formula

C₉₆H₁₆₀N₂O₄₀

Canonical SMILES

CCC1C(C=C(C=CC(=O)C(CC(C(C(C(CC(=O)O1)O)C)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)C)OC3CC(C(C(O3)C)O)(C)O)N(C)C)O)CC=O)C)C)COC4C(C(C(C(O4)C)O)OC)OC.C(C(C(=O)O)O)(C(=O)O)O

Isomeric SMILES

CC[C@@H]1[C@H](/C=C(/C=C/C(=O)[C@@H](C[C@@H]([C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H](CC(=O)O1)O)C)O[C@H]2[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O2)C)O[C@H]3C[C@@]([C@H]([C@@H](O3)C)O)(C)O)N(C)C)O)CC=O)C)\C)CO[C@H]4[C@@H]([C@@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O4)C)O)OC)OC.[C@@H]([C@H](C(=O)O)O)(C(=O)O)O

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

ICVKYYINQHWDLM-KBEWXLTPSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C46H77NO17.C4H6O6/c1-13-33-30(22-58-45-42(57-12)41(56-11)37(52)26(5)60-45)18-23(2)14-15-31(49)24(3)19-29(16-17-48)39(25(4)32(50)20-34(51)62-33)64-44-38(53)36(47(9)10)40(27(6)61-44)63-35-21-46(8,55)43(54)28(7)59-35;5-1(3(7)8)2(6)4(9)10/h14-15,17-18,24-30,32-33,35-45,50,52-55H,13,16,19-22H2,1-12H3;1-2,5-6H,(H,7,8)(H,9,10)/b15-14+,23-18+;/t24-,25+,26-,27-,28+,29+,30-,32-,33-,35+,36-,37-,38-,39-,40-,41-,42-,43+,44+,45-,46-;1-,2-/m11/s1

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Antibiotic, Antibacterial, Feed additive, Growth promotor

Substance groups

Macrolide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis

Molecular targets

[50S ribosomal protein L10, Antagonist]

CAS RN

74610-55-2

EC number

616-119-1

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

60196281

Therapeutic Class

Antiinfectants for systemic use: Antibacterials for systemic use, Antibacterials for intramammary use

ATCvet Code

QJ01FA90; QJ51FA90

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Allowed substance (Table 1: All food producing species)

Molecular mass

1981

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

(2R,3R)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid;2-[(4R,5S,6S,7R,9R,11E,13E,15R,16R)-6-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-5-[(2S,4R,5S,6S)-4,5-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethyloxan-2-yl]oxy-4-(dimethylamino)-3-hydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-16-ethyl-4-hydroxy-15-[[(2R,3R,4R,5R,6R)-5-hydroxy-3,4-dimethoxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]-5,9,13-trimethyl-2,10-dioxo-1-oxacyclohexadeca-11,13-dien-7-yl]acetaldehyde

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Possible groundwater contaminant

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Related substances & organisms

tylosin

tylosin phosphate

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1961, early use record

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

Elanco Europe Ltd

Example products using this active

Tylan Soluble Powder for Oral Solution

Formulation and application details

Available in injectable, intramammary and oral formulations with different product ranges available in different countries

Commercial production

The production of tylosin tartrate begins with the fermentation of Streptomyces fradiae, which biosynthesises tylosin. After fermentation, tylosin is extracted and purified using solvent systems such as ethyl acetate. To form the tartrate salt, purified tylosin is dissolved in ethyl acetate and cooled, followed by the dropwise addition of butyl acetate while stirring. This induces crystallisation of tylosin tartrate, which is then maintained under stirring for 1–2 hours to complete precipitation.

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)

5000

as tylosin

High

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

Melting point (°C)

128

as tylosin

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

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

Log P

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

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)

5.0

DT₅₀ 4.2 days in slurry/sand & 5.7 days slurry/sandy loamm as tylosin

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)

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 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)

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)

> 568

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)

> 0.387

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)

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

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

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

Occupational exposure may occur through inhalation and dermal contact

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Excreted rapidly in urine. Also found in milk

Health issues

Specific human health issues (hazard-based)

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

May cause diarrhoea and gastrointestinal disturbance

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of nitrogen oxide

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

tylosin tartrate

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	14/09/2025
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