Florfenicol (CAS 73231-34-2)

Florfenicol is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic primarily used in research to study its mechanism of action and resistance in bacteria. It functions by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting protein synthesis by preventing the peptidyl transferase activity necessary for peptide bond formation. This action disrupts bacterial growth and reproduction, leading to cell death. Florfenicol is structurally similar to chloramphenicol but differs by having a fluorine atom, which confers enhanced activity and stability while reducing the likelihood of bacterial resistance. In scientific research, florfenicol is employed to explore the molecular mechanisms of ribosomal function and protein synthesis inhibition. Researchers use it to investigate the genetic basis of bacterial resistance, particularly focusing on the identification and characterization of resistance genes such as floR, which encodes an efflux pump that expels the antibiotic from bacterial cells. Additionally, florfenicol serves as a model compound in studies aimed at developing novel antibiotics and improving existing ones by understanding the structural and functional aspects of ribosomal binding. Florfenicol′s broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria makes it an invaluable tool in microbiological assays to determine bacterial susceptibility and resistance patterns. Its use in experimental settings contributes significantly to the advancement of antimicrobial research, providing insights into bacterial physiology, mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, and the development of new antimicrobial agents.