What is "ansamycin"

n. (context biochemistry English) Any of a family of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial and antiviral effects.

Ansamycins is a family of secondary metabolites that show antimicrobial activity against many Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria and includes various compounds, among which: streptovaricins and rifamycins. In addition, these compounds demonstrate antiviral activity towards bacteriophages and poxviruses.