Characteristics of spores formed by surface and submerged cultures of Streptomyces albidoflavus SMF301

Abstract

SUMMARY: Streptomyces albidoflavus SMF301 produced abundant spores in submerged cultures (submerged spores) as well as on solid media (aerial spores). The content of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus in submerged and aerial spores was similar; however, the contents of metal ions (K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) were very different. Glutamic acid, alanine, and glycine, all known to be cell-wall components, were the major amino acids in both types of spores. However, cysteine was more abundant in submerged spores than in aerial spores. The major fatty acid in aerial spores was n-C18 (61.74%), whereas in submerged spores it was ai-C16 (33.68%). The contents of ai-C14, and ai-C17 in submerged spores were also very much higher than in aerial spores. Unsaturated fatty acids were found in both kinds of spores but not in mycelium; they were particularly abundant in submerged spores. The composition of menaquinones in the two kinds of spores also varied. The resistance of aerial spores to lysozyme digestion, mild acid treatment, heating and desiccation was higher than that of submerged spores, but the submerged spores were more resistant to sonication.