Effect of phosphate on the biosynthesis of nourseothricin by Streptomyces noursei JA 3890b

The results present evidence for the important role of phosphate-mediated regulation of the nourseothricin biosynthesis by the processes of phosphate limitation and release of phosphate. Also, higher initial concentrations of phosphate were found to have a strong inhibitory effect on the biosynthesis of nourseothricin. It is concluded that the initial phosphate concentration was the primary target for the biometrical optimization of the fermentation medium. The presence of zinc ions neutralized the negative effect of high initial concentrations of phosphate which was also strongly influenced by the regime of sterilization.