The Production of Penicillin X in Submerged Culture

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Abstract
Of several good penicillin-producing strains investigated, Penicillium chrysogenum NRRL 1984.A, a substrain derived from Minn. R-13, was found to be the best producer of chloroform-insoluble penicillin, or penicillin X, when grown in submerged culture. By u.-v. irradiation, a substrain of 1984.A, designated NRRL 1984.N22, was developed, which produced substantially higher yields of penicillin X, generally amounting to approx. 50% of the total yield as measured by differential assays, and representing approx. 65-70% of the total yield upon a wt. basis. The superior performance of NRRL 1984.N22 as a producer of penicillin X was repeatedly observed in shaken-flask cultures, and was subsequently demonstrated in 600-liter vat fermentations. From one of these fermentations pure penicillin X was isolated in a quantity which verified the approx. correctness of the survey data based upon differential assays only. The technique of irradiation, the method of performing chloroform extractions, and the theory and practice of the differential assay used in demonstrating the presence and determining the amt. of penicillin X are presented.