A HIGHLY-ACTIVE PRODUCER OF COPROPORPHYRIN-III AND UROPORPHYRIN-III

An isopropyl alcohol (IPA)-assimilating bacterium identified as a Arth robacter sp. (named A. hyalinus) was found to produce large amounts of coproporphyrin III and uroporphyrin III from IPA. In contrast, severa l other type cultures belonging to Arthrobacter spp. produced only sma ll amounts of porphyrins from glucose. Limitation of both dissolved ox ygen and Fe salt was essential for the production of porphyrins by A. hyalinus. Zinc sulfate, MgSO4, Polypepton, yeast extract, L-glutamic a cid and L-cystine stimulated the production of porphyrins, although an excess amount of L-cystine inhibited cell growth and porphyrin produc tion. A mutant resistant against hydroxylamine and L-cystine produced 440 mg/l of coproporphyrin III and 195 mg/l uroporphyrin III mixed wit h a small amount of uroporphyrin I under the optimal fermentation cond itions. Small amounts of penta-, hexa-, and hepta-carboxyl porphyrins (less than 5 mg/l were also produced.