An antibiotic produced by Penicillium puberulum, a mold found on maize, and from P. cyclopium; active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but toxic to animal tissues.
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pen·i·cil·lic acid .pen-ə-.sil-ik- n a crystalline antibiotic unsaturated keto acid C8H10O4 or the tautomeric hydroxy lactone produced by several molds of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus
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pen·i·cil·lic ac·id (pen″ĭ-silґik) an antibiotic substance produced by several species of Penicillium and Aspergillus; it has antibacterial activity but is also toxic to animal tissues, causing nephrotoxicity and other damage.Medical dictionary. 2011.