Stimulation of leucomycin production by magnesium phosphate and its relevance to nitrogen catabolite regulation

Addition of magnesium phosphate [Mg3(PO4)2 x 8H2O] to a complex medium or to an ammonium ion-containing, chemically defined medium stimulated leucomycin production by Streptomyces kitasatoensis. Ammonium ions in high concentrations inhibited leucomycin production, but their limitation by magnesium phosphate led to the high production of the antibiotic.