Natamycin is a natural small molecule. It is an antifungal polyene macrolide that binds to ergosterol and blocks fungal growth, without changing the permeability of the plasma membrane. It was isolated in 1955 from fermentation broth of Streptomyces natalensis cell culture from Pietermaritzburg (Natal, South Africa). It is effective against fungi causing ophthalmological complications and is also used commercially to prevent food spoilage.
