Crude glycerol and whey as carbon and nitrogen sources for the production of antibiotics

Abstract

The microorganisam Streptomyces hygroscopicus CH-7 produces antibiotics Hex-aene, Nigericine and Elaiophyline. The yield of antibiotics can be increased by changing the fermentation conditions and the composition of the nutrient medium. Based on the previous research with this strain and the literature reviewed, the aim of this work was to study the possibility of using waste materials (whey with proteins in varying ammounts and crude glycerol from the biodiesel production) as a carbon and nitrogen source in order to increase the yeald of antibiotics produced by Strep-tomyces hygroscopicus CH-7. The maximum concentration of Hexaene (47,2 μg/ cm 3) was achieved in the medium with whey containing 80% of protein and glycerol from sunflower oil, while the maximum concentration of Elaiophyline (24,3μg/cm 3) was achived in the basal medium.