Utilisation of food industry by-products in the production of oxytetracycline by Streptomyces rimosus 93060

Abstract

Different carbon sources were utilised in the biosynthesis of oxytetracycline by S. rimosus 93060. Glucose was the best carbon source for antibiotic production in a medium with peptone as the nitrogen source. Two agricultural wastes were used as cheap partial replacements for glucose. The first was Egyptian black-strap molasses. The influence of Egyptian black-strap molasses obtained from different sugar cane manufacturers was tested. Abou-Korkas molasses was the best for the production of oxytetracycline. Potassium ferrocyanide, EDTA and methylene blue were used in the chelation or reduction of inorganic salts present in Abou-Korkas molasses. These materials did not give high titres of oxytetracycline. The suitability of Abou-Korkas molasses was due to its micronutrients. A second substrate tested for antibiotic production was the freeze-dried olive water obtained from the pressing and separation of olive oil. The chemical composition of olive water was investigated. Olive water alone was a poor substrate for antibiotic production, but with glucose it was as effective as molasses.