AMMONIUM REGULATION IN SACCHAROPOLYSPORA-ERYTHRAEA .1. GROWTH AND ANTIBIOTIC PRODUCTION

Effects of two ammonium salts on the erythromycin production from Sacc haropolyspora erythraea were investigated. Higher initial concentratio ns of ammonium sulfate reduced the final erythromycin production yield of a mutant strain by 77% to the benefit of a biomass accretion. High concentration of ammonium nitrate favoured erythromycin production yi eld (double increase). A rapid pellet formation may have contributed t o the early onset of antibiotic production.