Evaluation of Precursors for Penicillin G

Abstract

During the war, it was found that phenylacetic acid was a constitutent of penicillin G. Hence phenylacetic acid and its derivatives were used in culture media for penicillin production in English and American laboratories. Publication of the work was delayed because of wartime restrictions. In early work on precursor addition Penicillium notatum NRRL 1249.

Penicillin Production by High-yielding Strains of Penicillium chrysogenum1

“…Under such conditions PAA gave 1280 u per ml as compared to 1180 u per ml for PEA. These observations are in agreement with results obtained earlier by Singh and Johnson (1948) with culture Q176. No improvement in penicillin production was obtained when combinations of PEA and PAA were used.…”

The Effect of the Carbohydrate Nutrition on Penicillin Production by Penicillium chrysogenum Q-1761

“…Operation at a feed rate of 0.042 per cent sugar per hour gave a pH plateau of 6.7, while operation at 0.015 per cent sugar per hour gave a pH plateau of 7.8. It is apparent that one effect of high feed rates is the establishment of a pH plateau below the optimal value, as previously determined (Singh and Johnson, 1948). It must be clearly established that no attempt was made to keep the pH at optimum values in any case by using external control.…”

Biosynthesis of Deuterated Benzylpenicillins I: Solvent Deuterium Oxide Participation

“…This was considered at this time since in subsequent studies the production of a fully deuterated penicillin was planned. The basic DzO nutrient culture medium is listed in Table I1 and is an adaptation of the protio medium of Singh and Johnson (23). Lactose is a component of the protio medium, since it is slowly metabolized and represents a continuous source of glucose.…”