EFFECTS OF MINERALS ON NEOMYCIN PRODUCTION BY STREPTOMYCES FRADIAE

A study was made on the mineral requirements of Streptomyces fradiae strain 3535 for neomycin production. It was observed that optimal levels of the elements Ca, Fe, and Zn per milliliter of a synthetic medium for neomycin production were 10.8, 1.0, and 0.115 mug, respectively. K(2)HPO(4) was required at a concentration of 0.1% for maximal yield of neomycin, whereas NaCl and the metals Mn and Cu were without any effect. High doses of Zn (0.23 mug/ml or above) caused destruction of neomycin after the fifth day of fermentation.