Microbiological transformation of cephalosporin C

: Bacteria and actinomycetes were screened for finding organisms that produced enzymes transforming cephalosporin C. Different bacteria were found to be capable for producing enzymes that degraded cephalosporin; actinomycetes possessed this capability to a lesser extent. The transformation of cephalosporin was catalyzed by beta-lactamase and acetyl esterase. One and the same culture could synthesize the both enzymes simultaneously; their activities and proportion depend on the conditions of cultivation. The production of enzymes degrading cephalosporin in bacteria seems to be a trait typical of a species or a strain.