Induction of mutations in antibiotic-producing microorganisms by fast neutrons from the U-120 cyclotron

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of fast neutrons from a U-120 cyclotron in the induction of mutations in streptomycetes, resulting in strains with enhanced antibiotic production. Three streptomycete strains producing the antibiotics: lincomycin, moenomycin, and demethylchlorotetracycline were used. Correlation between the survival rate of spores of the examined strains and neutron dose was determined. Several morphological and physiological features (particularly production of antibiotics for 1543 variants derived from the parent strains) and their distribution within the population were also studied. The survival rate of the streptomycetes spores after irradiation with fast neutrons was found to be an individual strain property. Several variants with considerably increased antibiotic yield were isolated. The results are compared with those obtained after treatment with other mutagens. Several variants of one of the strains with a strongly enhanced antibiotic yield (200--220%) were isolated. No such variants were found after UV irradiation.