Nonactin, known as an ionophore antibiotic, was antagonized by the actibity of quercetin, an oxygen radical scavenger. This compound generated superoxide radicals in Bacillus subtilis lysates. A recombination-deficient mutant strain of B. subtilis was more sensitive than a wild strain, and this hypersensitivity was reduced in the presence of dithiothreitol as an antioxidant. These results suggest that superoxide radical is important in the antibacterial action of this agent.