OXIDATION AND AMIDATION OF SALICYLATE BY STREPTOMYCES SPECIES

Seven streptomycete strains were tested for biotransformation of salic ylate. The products were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spec troscopy and three types of conversion were found. Streptomyces cinnam onensis and Streptomyces spectabilis formed gentisate and salicylamide concurrently. Streptomyces rimosus transformed salicylate to salicyla mide. Streptomyces lividans, Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces gri seus and Streptomyces avermitilis produced only gentisate. Time course studies of salicylate conversion by thin-layer chromatography and hig h pressure liquid chromatography showed that salicylamide was accumula ted in the culture broth, whereas gentisate was further metabolized.