Short communication: Effect of water activity on cell growth and phenol oxidase production by Streptomyces cyaneus var. viridochromogenes in surface culture.

In surface cultures of Streptomyces cyaneus var. viridochromogenes, NaCl depressed water activity (a w) without supporting growth. Reducing a w from 0.987 to 0.951 led to 3- and 4-fold increases in intracellular and extracellular phenol oxidase activities, respectively.