The relationship between critical oxygen level and antibiotic synthesis of capreomycin and cephalosporin C

Abstract

Abstract This paper illustrates the type of conclusions which may be reached by the use of an electrode for measuring oxygen tension in fermentation broths. The critical oxygen level, based on oxygen uptake, and the minimum oxygen tension necessary for maximum antibiotic synthesis for two commercial antibiotic fermentations, capreomycin and cephalosporin C, were studied. Capreomycin yields were depressed at an oxygen tension which was slightly below the critical oxygen level. Cephalosporin C synthesis was depressed at an oxygen tension higher than the critical oxygen level.