Oxytetracycline formation in blackstrap molasses medium by Streptomyces rimosus

Summary Analyses of blackstrap molasses revealed that it contains many miscellaneous compounds in the form of monosaccharides such as glucose, fructose, arabinose and dissacharide such as sucrose and trisaccharid such as raffinose. It also contains some amino acids beside citric and aconitic acids and many elements such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Utilization of urea as organic nitrogen source was more effective than (NH4)2SO4 as inorganic nitrogen source for the oxytetracycline formation by Streptomyces rimosus. The suitable urea concentration was in the range of 1.5 mg/ml. The suitable KH2PO4 concentration was also in the range of 1.5 mg/ml. Blackstrap molasses was better for the antibiotic formation than glucose as carbon source. The suitability may be attributed to its content of a balance of materials such as different sugars, minerals and amino and organic acids. Moreover, it is cheaper than other raw resources.