[Spontaneous crystallization of antibiotic substance during submerged fermentation of Actinomyces hygroscopicus]

A rare case of spontaneous crystallization of the antibiotic substance was detected during submerged cultivation of Actinomyces hygroscopicus, strain 33x, under periodic conditions directly in the MTF 5L3 fermenter ("Marubishi"). Leaf-shaped plates of the antibiotic found in the cultural broth of the strain 33x were active against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, yeasts, and fungi. The crystalline state of the structures was confirmed by the X-ray analysis. According to their UV spectrum (maximum at 233-234 nm in ethanol), the crystals belong to the group of nyphimycin A1-scopafungin, antibiotics produced by some cultures of Act. hygroscopicus.