Biography

P.L. Narasimha Rao, Indian biochemist and microbiologist (Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh 12 June 1913 – Mysore 21 December 2013)

Authored more than 100 research papers

Obtained chemicals with antibiotic properties from plants and fungi

Proposed tetrahydroxanthone structure for morellin from Garcinia sp.

Isolated and purified terpenes, guttiferin, pigment gamboge and certain purines and derivatives

Isolated the antibiotic neomorellin and pterygospermin (1946)

Discovered antimicrobian properties of benzyl isothiocyanate  and related compounds

With Uma described Streptomyces champavatii (1959)