Enhanced production of avermectin B1a by medium optimization and glucose feeding with Streptomyces avermilitis

Abstract

Avermectin B1a is an important macrolide antibiotic with potent anthlemintic and insecticidal activity. The objective of this study was to enhance productivity of avermectin B1a by optimizing culture medium and glucose feeding fermentation. Results showed that B1a concentration was increased by 48.6% through optimization of nitrogen, carbon sources as well as supplement of 0.2 mM Co²⁺. It was found that a maximum B1a concentration of 826 mg/l was attained by glucose-feeding in a laboratory scale fermentor, which was two-fold higher than that in the control fermentation. Meanwhile, the proportion of B1a in the total products was increased by 6% with respect to the control process. These results would be very useful for maximizing productivity of avermectin B1a in an up-scaled fermentation.