Biosynthesis of Biotin by Microörganisms

Abstract

The time course of biotin-vitamer synthesis and the distribution of vitamers were studied in the growing culture of Phycomyces blakesleeanus. Over 92% of the synthesized vitamers accumulated in the culture medium during different stages of incubation period. The remaining part appeared as free and bound forms in the mycelia. The bound form contains only biotin.The vitamers were synthesized after the maximum growth had been attained.The highest growth coincided with the highest degree of assimilation of asparagine.Keto acids were the only detectable acids in the culture medium.P. blakesleeanus accumulated more than 50% dethiobiotin, 26% biotin d-sulphoxide, 15% biotin, and 3% 8-amino-7-ketopelargonic acid with biocytin sulphoxide and biocytin, of the total biotin-vitamers. The ratio of biotin to biotin sulphoxide depends on the culture condition.