Enhanced prodiginines production in Streptomyces coelicolor M511 by stress of acidic pH shock

Abstract

Undecylprodiginine and streptorubin B are red-pigmented antibiotics produced by Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). In this study, we investigated the correlation between productivity of these red-pigmented antibiotics and stress of pH shock. Biosynthesis of these red-pigmented antibiotics is enhanced at acidic pH shock on solid R2YE medium. The optimal pH shock is pH 4 which led to 1.6 fold and two-fold increase in the production of undecylprodiginine and streptorubin B as compared with control, respectively. In addition, the extract of pH 4 shocked cells exhibited a remarkable activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes. However, neutral and basic pH shock did not give raise to promote a production of these red-pigmented antibiotics as well as antifungal activity. Thus, although the acidic pH shock is simple and easy method, it should be extremely effective approach to enhance a productivity of these red-pigmented antibiotics and other secondary metabolites.