[Biological responses of a Streptomyces strain producing-Nikkomycin to space flight]

In order to see biological responses to the production of Nikkomycins in general and Nikkomycin X and Z in particular by space conditions, Streptomyces ansochromogenus, a Nikkomycins-producing strain, was carried onboard a satellite for 15 d in 1996. Several strains were isolated from the treated sample and found that the productivity of Nikkomycins in all was increased by 13-18 percent, and the proportion of Nikkomycin X and Z increased correspondingly. Besides, some biological properties of the isolated strains varied markedly.