Comparisons of potentials for L-lysine production among different Corynebacterium glutamicum strains

Corynebacterium glutamicum is an industrially important organism that is most widely used for the production of various amino acids. A defined L-lysine-producing mutant was generated by introduction of the lysC mutation (T311I) into each of six representative C. glutamicum strains. The resulting six isogenic mutants were compared for L-lysine production under traditional 30 degrees C conditions and industrially more advantageous 40 degrees C conditions. It was found that there were significant differences in yield and productivity, especially at 40 degrees C. These results indicate the diversity among C. glutamicum strains in fermentative characters, as well as the importance of selecting a strain with industrially best performance.