Gentamicin production by Micromonospora echinospora (Me‐ 22 ) in stirred tank reactor: effect of various parameters

Effect of production medium components, initial starch and soyabean meal concentrations, for the enhanced production of gentamicin by Micromonospora echinospora (Me‐ 22 ) was studied in a lab scale stirred tank reactor. Also effect of different aeration (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 vvm) and agitation rates (100, 200, 300 and 400 rpm) in a stirred tank reactor was examined. A maximum gentamicin concentration of 2.68 g l –1 was achieved in the medium having low concentrations of initial starch (7.5 g l –1 ) and high concentrations of initial soyabean meal (4 g l –1 ). Both aeration and agitation significantly affected gentamicin concentration, productivity and biomass formation. The maximum gentamicin concentration of 4.12 g l –1 and the highest yield of gentamicin on substrate 0.967 g g –1 were obtained at impeller speed of 200 rpm and aeration rate of 2 vvm. Under optimal culture conditions in STR the production of gentamicin could be increased 3 fold when compared with shake flask. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)