Dynamic of antibiotic accumulation by Streptomyces aureofaciens in a laboratory fermentor

Summary In a laboratory fermentor, the growth of Streptomyces aureofaciens on corn meal extract and its production of antibiotic was investigated. Weak biosynthesis of the antibiotic started after 12 hours of incubation, when phosphorus depletion in the medium occurred. During the third and fourth day of fermentation about 80.4 % of the antibiotic was produced. The relationship between growth, antibiotic formation, and the uptake of both sugar and nitrogen was also studied. A chromatogram, showing the types of sugar present during fermentation period is given. Improvement of antibiotic accumulation either by adding sugar at the end of the logarithmic phase of growth or by determining the rate of aeration is also discussed.