Morphogenesis, ATP content and oxytetracycline production by Streptomyces rimosus in solid substrate cultivation

On agar plates, mycelia of Streptomyces rimosus TM-55 had a slender and smooth surface at 24 h, developed a shorter form and rough surface at 116 h, and lysed after 504 h incubation. Oxytetracycline potency reached a maximum at 94 h. During cultivation on solid substrate, mycelia rarely occurred on the surface at 24 h. The organism appeared as short rods at 166 h, and formed spores at 504 h. The ATP content was maximal at 166 h, while energy charge varied between 0.63 and 0.77 during cultivation. The oxytetracycline potency was maximal at 166 h and each gram of substrate produced 11 mg of antibiotic. ATP content and energy charge of mycelia showed a positive correlation with cell activity and oxytetracycline production.