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Out of the African soil

Nature Chemistry volume 15, page 1318 (2023)Cite this article

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Clinton Veale and Fanie van Heerden discuss the story of natamycin. From its humble telluric origins in Pietermaritzburg, this unique antimicrobial agent has risen to become a mainstay of the food and beverages industry.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Twitter: @DrClintVeale

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa

    Clinton G. L. Veale

  2. School of Chemistry and Physics, Pietermaritzburg Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville, South Africa

    Fanie R. van Heerden

Authors
  1. Clinton G. L. Veale
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  2. Fanie R. van Heerden
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Clinton G. L. Veale or Fanie R. van Heerden.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Veale, C.G.L., van Heerden, F.R. Out of the African soil. Nat. Chem. 15, 1318 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-023-01306-x

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