Biosynthesis of cephamycin by resting cells of Streptomyces lactamdurans L 2/6.

In order to investigate the nutritional conditions of cephamycin biosynthesis independently of the biomass growth process, the nutrient limited-resting cell system was used. A replacement medium eliminating cell multiplication was developed. The presence of Mg2+, carbon source and nitrogen source was necessary for cephamycin production by resting cells of Streptomyces lactamdurans L 2/6. Maximum antibiotic production was obtained when maltose, saccharose, and fructose were used as carbon source, and L-asparagine as nitrogen source. An inhibitory effect on the process was exerted by the calcium ions. There was no visible inhibition of cephamycin biosynthesis by inorganic phosphate ions in concentration up to 100 mM.