Biogenesis of some antibiotics in the presence of 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid.

2-Chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) affected both the growth of and antibiotic production in Streptomyces aureofaciens, S. griseus, S. antibioticus, and Penicillium citrinum. Streptomyces strains seemed to be more sensitive to the presence of CEPA in the medium than did the fungus. A decrease in both growth and antibiotic production was observed with a concomitant increase in the concentration of the ethylene-releasing compound in the medium. Higher concentrations of CEPA completely inhibited the growth of the above microorganisms.