Cephalexin Hydrate

- Overview
  - Cephalexin Hydrate is a broad-spectrum, first-generation cephalosporin that interferes wtih bacterial peptidoglycan synthesis. It can be used to study the effect of penicillin-binding proteins on bacterial cell well synthesis. It is slightly soluble in aqueous solution.
    
    Please contact us at for specific academic pricing.
    
    Background
    
    Like β-lactams, cephalosporins interfere with PBP (penicillin binding protein) activity involved in the final phase of peptidoglycan synthesis. PBP’s are enzymes which catalyze a pentaglycine crosslink between alanine and lysine residues providing additional strength to the cell wall. Without a pentaglycine crosslink, the integrity of the cell wall is severely compromised and ultimately leads to cell lysis and death. Resistance to cephalosporins is commonly due to cells containing plasmid encoded β-lactamases.
- Properties
  - CAS Number
    
    23325-78-2
    
    Molecular Formula
    
    C16H17N3O4S · H2O
    
    Molecular Weight
    
    347.39 g/mol (anhydrous basis)
    365.41 g/mol (monohydrate)
    
    Appearance
    
    White or almost white crystalline powder
    
    Solubility
    
    Slightly soluble in aqueous solution
    
    Other Properties
    
    Source: Semi-synthetic
    Water Content (Karl Fischer): 4.0-8.0%
    PH: 3.0-5.5
    Assay: 950-1030 µg/mg
    Optical Rotation: +149° to +158°
    
    Storage
    
    -20°C (protect from light)
    
    * For research use only
- Applications
  - Application Description
    
    Spectrum: Cephalexin Hydrate is a broad-spectrum antibiotic targeting a wide variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria especially those which cause respiratory infections.
    
    Microbiology Applications: Cephalexin Hydrate is commonly used in clinical in vitro microbiological antimicrobial susceptibility tests (panels, discs, and MIC strips) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbial isolates. Medical microbiologists use AST results to recommend antibiotic treatment options. Representative MIC values include: Streptococcus pyogenes 0.2 µg/mL – 12.5 µg/mL Streptococcus pneumoniae 0.78 µg/mL – 3.12 µg/mL In vitro degradation of Cephalexin Monohydrate and its effect on MIC and MBC was studied using the broth microdilution method. Cephalexin was among the most degraded compounds tested, which has implications for determination of MIC for slow-growing bacteria (Lallemand et al, 2016).