7-Aminocephalosporanic Acid (7-ACA) is a key intermediate in the production of a wide variety of semisynthetic Cephalosporin antibiotics. It is an inhibitor of bacterial (S. aureus) β-lactamase. It is derived from mild acid hydrolysis of Cephalosporin C, catalyzed by GI-7-ACA acylase. Cephalosporin C was isolated in 1950 from Cephalosporium. 7-Aminocephalosporanic Acid can be used as a starting material to synthesize semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotics and their intermediates.
7-Aminocephalosporanic Acid is insoluble in water and DMSO.