Production of the siderophore enterobactin: use of four different fermentation systems and identification of the compound by HPLC.

The article describes four different fermentation procedures for Escherichia coli AN311, a producer of enterobactin. A regular rotary shaker culture with a biphasic system consisting of an agar layer (as a reservoir for feeding processes) and a layer of liquid medium, 2.4 L and 10 L batch cultures, and a novel dialysis membrane fermentor were used. With the use of this latter fermentor type, the production of enterobactin could be increased by a factor of about 9.5, while growth increased by a factor of 12 compared to the other systems. For the rapid and reliable quantification of the concentration and purity of enterobactin an analytical and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established. The degradation compounds of this siderophore were detected by diodearray and bioassays. A comparison of total catechol production as well as the distribution between enterobactin and its degradation compounds is given. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.