CLAVINE ALKALOID FORMATION IN SUBMERGED CULTURES OF A CLAVICEPS SPECIES

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The role of major nutrients in a glucose – mannitol – ammonium succinate – mineral salts medium which supports high production of clavine alkaloids was examined. Mannitol was found to be superior to other carbohydrates as a source of carbon but, under certain conditions, could be partially replaced with glucose. Ammonia provided the most suitable source of nitrogen, and was best supplied as ammonium succinate. In media with glucose and mannitol as principal carbon source, ammonium and succinate ions were utilized at parallel rates, maintaining the pH of the culture within the favorable range of 5.5–6.5 during alkaloid formation. For maximum yields there were optimum values for the initial concentrations of ammonia and phosphate in the medium. The concentration of phosphate required was growth-limiting. A high carbon:nitrogen ratio was necessary to prolong the phase of alkaloid synthesis. Production was increased by the "addition of L-tryptophan but not DL-mevalonic acid. The advantages of this medium for promoting alkaloid formation appear to be limited to clavine-producing strains isolated from Pennisetum typhoideum.