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The effects of oxygen on β‐lactam biosynthesis by alginate entrapped streptomyces clavuligerus
Author(s) -
Scott Robert I.,
Sladen Susan,
Maidment Mandy,
Rashid Tahira,
Pratsis Christos,
Perry David
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/jctb.280410207
Subject(s) - streptomyces clavuligerus , oxygen , chemistry , calcium alginate , calcium , biochemistry , strontium , barium , aeration , biophysics , clavulanic acid , nuclear chemistry , inorganic chemistry , biology , organic chemistry , amoxicillin , antibiotics
The physiology of Streptomyces clavuligerus has been studied by investigating oxygen uptake and β‐lactam (clavulanic acid) production by free and alginate entrapped cells. The specific oxygen uptake rate of cells entrapped in strontium or calcium alginate was only about 35% of the rate in free cells. This reduction in oxygen uptake was due to reduced internal diffusion of oxygen; in addition calcium, barium and strontium ions could also cause oxygen uptake in free cells to be inhibited. Measurements of the deformation of individual gel beads showed that maximum hardness was reached after 15 min exposure to 0.14 mol dm −3 Ca 2+ . Exposure of cells to Ca 2+ for this time caused a 15% reduction in the rate of oxygen uptake. Levels of clavulanic acid produced by free cells were higher than those produced by immobilized cells; production was dependent on the degree of aeration of the cells.