In the present study, Saccharopolyspora erythraea MTCC 1103 was used for the enhanced production of erythromycin. To enhance the yield of erythromycin, effects of various parameters such as bagasse concentration, organic nitrogen source, inorganic nitrogen source, pH and temperature were analysed. It was found that bagasse can be used as an alternate carbon source in erythromycin production medium. Erythromycin production in the new formulation of bagasse based medium was found to be 512 mg/L which was 28 % higher than glucose based medium. Strain improvement was done by random UV-mutagenesis. When compared to wild type strain, mutant strain showed 40 % higher yield in production medium. Erythromycin potency assay and HPLC analysis were performed to confirm the presence of erythromycin in the partially purified samples. These optimized conditions could be used for the commercial production of this unique antibiotic which gave significant industrial perspectives.
Keywords: Bagasse; Erythromycin; Saccharopolyspora erythraea; UV-mutagenesis.