Synthesis and metabolism of roquefortine in Penicillium species.

The uptake of exogeneous 14C-roquefortine by Penicillium farinosum cells and its metabolism was followed. Growth and roquefortine biosynthesis of three Penicillium species during a cultivation period of 14 d were investigated. Furthermore, the effect of cultivation conditions viz. various culture media on roquefortine uptake and biosynthesis as well as biomass production were studied. Some general problems of physiology and metabolic regulation of alkaloid formation in Penicillium species were discussed.