Biosynthesis of demethyltetracycline by a strain of streptomyces

ABSTRACT

Streptomyces aureofaciens sub-species viridulaus [isolate No. MN 27] was found to produce a yellowish orange pigment. This pigment was extracted from the fermentation medium by chloroform at neutral pH [pH 7], chromatographically purified and obtained as orange powder. The purified pigmented substance exhibits a strong antimicrobial activity towards Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria [MIC =200, 50, 5, 100, 35 ug/ml against B. Subtilis, B. Megaterium, B. Cereus, Athrobacter simplex, and E. coli, respectively]. The physicochemical characteristics of the purified substance were investigated and accordingly the present antibiotic pigment was identified as a new antibiotic belonging to tetracycline group of antibiotics having indicator properties for which the name demethyltetracycline was suggested