Fermentative production of chloramphenicol-analogs (corynecins) from sucrose.

Abstract

Corynecins (N-acyl derivatives of d-(−)-threo-p-nitrophenyl serinol), which were firstly discovered in the culture broth of Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus KY 4339 grown on n-alkane were also produced when n-alkane was replaced by sucrose. The corynecins production in the sucrose-medium was significantly stimulated by the supplement of molasses. On the basis of the composition of ingredients in molasses, the preferable culture medium was designed for the production of corynecins from sucrose. This semi-synthetic medium is consisted of low concentration of phosphate, high concentration of potassium chloride, inositol, fructose and yeast extract in addition to ordinary mineral salts. By controlling the pH of the medium at the neutral range and keeping the aeration at a relatively high level, approximately 4 g of corynecins (as l-base) per liter of the medium were produced using a 5-liter jar fermentor.