Open AccessProduction of β-Lactamase by Non- Streptomyces Actinomycetales
Author(s) -
Jeffrey L. Schwartz,
Surya P. Schwartz
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.07
H-Index - 259
eISSN - 1070-6283
pISSN - 0066-4804
DOI - 10.1128/aac.15.1.123
Subject(s) - actinomycetales , micromonospora , nocardia , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , streptomycetaceae , streptomyces , nocardiaceae , cephalosporin , bacteria , enzyme , antibiotics , biochemistry , genetics
Supernatants and whole cells from fermentation broths ofMicromonospora, Nocardia, Oerskovia , and other genera of theActinomycetales were examined for the presence of β-lactamase activity by using the chromogenic cephalosporin 87/312. Nearly 60% of the 250 isolates examined produced detectable levels of β-lactamase. All enzyme preparations were active over a range of pH values from 6.5 to 8.2, with maximum activity occurring between 7.0 and 7.8. The preparations varied in their stability at 60°C. An examination of selected enzyme preparations revealed a similarity between substrate specificities of the non-Streptomyces Actinomycetales and gram-negative-bacterial β-lactamases.