Meropenem, USP

- Overview
  - Meropenem is a β-lactam antibiotic in the carbapenem class, and targets the bacterial cell wall. It has found utility against extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae that are resistant to many first line β-lactam antibiotics and certain cephalosporins. Meropenem is sparingly soluble in aqueous solution.
    
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    Background
    
    β-lactams 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 β-lactams is commonly due to cells containing plasmid encoded β-lactamases. Like many carbapenems, Meropenem is highly resistant to the degradative effects of β-lactamases.
- Properties
  - CAS Number
    
    119478-56-7
    
    Molecular Formula
    
    C17H25N3O5S • 3H2O
    
    Molecular Weight
    
    437.52
    
    Appearance
    
    Almost white or yellowish crystalline powder
    
    Solubility
    
    Sparingly soluble in aqueous solution (5.63 mg/ml)
    
    Other Properties
    
    Source: Synthetic
    Water Content (Karl Fischer): 11.4-13.4%
    PH: 4.0 - 6.0
    Assay: (On Dried Basis): 98.0 - 101.0%
    Residue On Ignition: ≤ 0.1%
    Heavy Metals: ≤ 10ppm
    Optical Rotation: -17.0° to -21.0°
    Identification: HPLC - Passes test
    
    Storage
    
    2-8 °C
    
    * For research use only
- Applications
  - Application Description
    
    Spectrum: Meropenem is a broad-spectrum antibiotic targeting a wide range of bacteria especially those causing meningitis.
    
    Microbiology Applications: Meropenem is commonly used in clinical in vitro microbiological antimicrobial susceptibility tests (panels, discs, and MIC strips) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microbial isolates. Meropenem has also shown high potency against high-resistant superbug strains.Medical microbiologists use AST results to recommend antibiotic treatment options. Representative MIC values include:
    Staphylococcus epidermidis 0.06 µg/mL - 16 µg/mL
    Neisseria meningitis 0.002 µg/mL – 0.03 µg/mL
    Media Supplements
    Meropenem can be used as a selective agent in several types of isolation media:
    VRE Medium - VRE Selective Supplement
    
    Plant Biology Applications: Meropenem can be used to suppress the overgrowth of Agrobacterium in tobacco, tomato, and rice transformation, with 25 mg/L suppressing outgrowth (Ogawa and Mii , 2007). Meropenem suppressed growth of Agrobacterium during transformation of Phalaenopsis at 5 mg/L and had no phytotoxic effect on the cells themselves (Sjahril and Mii, 2005).