Effect of methionine, norleucine, and lysine derivatives on cephalosporin C formation in chemically defined media.

Demain, A. L. (Merck Sharp & Dohme Research Laboratories, Rahway, N.J.), Joanne F. Newkirk, and D. Hendlin. Effect of methionine, norleucine, and lysine derivatives on cephalosporin C formation in chemically defined media. J. Bacteriol. 85: 339-344. 1963.-Chemically defined media were developed for production of cephalosporin C by Cephalosporium sp. In such media, the requirement for methionine can be satisfied by norleucine. Further stimulation of antibiotic production was obtained with the lysine derivatives epsilon-N-acetyl-l-lysine and epsilon-aminocaproic acid but not with lysine itself. Also inactive were alpha-aminoadipic and ketoadipic acids. Other lysine derivatives were found to inhibit cephalosporin C production at 0.01 m. The final medium supported the production of approximately 0.5 g of cephalosporin C per liter of medium.