Glycocinnamoylspermidines, a new class of antibiotics. I. Description and fermentation of the organism producing the LL-BM123 antibiotics.

The producing organism for the new broad spectrum glycocinnamoylspermidine antibiotics designated LL-BM123beta, gamma1 and gamma2 was characterized as a Nocardia sp. by chemical analysis of the cell wall, growth requirements, morphology and physiological reactions. Fermentation conditions to elaborate and analytical methods to characterize these antibiotics in fermentation filtrates are described.

Sodium chloride tolerance of terrestrial fungi.

A survey was made of the NaCl tolerance of 975 species of terrestrial fungi selected from the major taxonomic classes. The penicillia and aspergilli were notably the most resistant with the majority of their species able to grow in the presence of 20% or more of NaCl. The Basidiomycetes, as a class, were decidedly the least tolerant with over half the species unable to withstand more than 2% NaCl. Uniformity of tolerance by multiple strains of various species suggests that this may provide a useful taxonomic criterion.

Improved methodology for isolating soil microorganisms.

Polyurethane foam cylinders and a replica-stamp technique were used for plating soil samples. This in conjunction with the addition of NaCl to the isolation medium substantially increased the variety of isolates recovered.

Morphology of submerged growth of streptomycetes as a taxonomic aid. I. Morphological development of Streptomyces aureofaciens in agitated liquid media.

In a study of the submerged growth morphology of 145 different streptomycetes in A C Broth, the species Streptomyces aureofaciens was observed to represent an unusual type. It was characterized by profuse mycelial segmentation, transformation of disarticulated fragments of segmented mycelium into chains of thickened arthrospores, and formation of filiform appendages on the arthrosporic cells giving an insectival appearance to these elements. This unusual morphology was determined to be a consistent feature in 110 strains of S. aureofaciens studied, hence suggesting a useful taxonomic aid in identification of this species. Preliminary studies of multiple strains of many different Streptomyces species indicate that other useful taxonomic features based on morphology of submerged growth are found in a significantly large part of the genus.

Morphological spore types in the Streptomyces hygroscopicus-like complex.

Streptomycetes comprising the Streptomyces hygroscopicus-like complex may be divided into two groups based on the micromorphology of their spores. The species S. hygroscopicus has short-cylindrical, phalangiform spores, whereas members of the second group possess elliptical-type spores. It was determined that S. platensis, of the latter group, is not only readily distinguishable from S. hygroscopicus on the basis of spore micromorphology, but differs, as well, according to various physiological measurements.

Morphological subtype of the smooth-spored streptomycetes.

Tresner, H. D. (Lederle Laboratories, American Cyanamid Co., Pearl River, N.Y.), M. C. Davies, and M. E. Englert. Morphological subtype of the smoothspored streptomycetes. J. Bacteriol. 91:1998-2005. 1966.-Electron microscopy reveals that certain Streptomyces species produce chains of smooth-surfaced, contiguous, cylindrical spores that resemble the phalanges. Although spore shape itself has not, heretofore, provided an especially important aid in the taxonomy of the streptomycetes, the "phalangiform" spore character promises to be helpful in the identification of species possessing it.

Differential tolerance of streptomycetes to sodium chloride as a taxonomic aid.

A survey was made of the NaCl tolerance of approximately 1,300 Streptomyces strains belonging to 313 species. The growth medium of the organisms was supplemented with a graded series of NaCl concentrations (4, 7, 10, and 13%). Only 1.8% of the species could not tolerate 4% NaCl; 26.9% could grow at a maximum of 4%; 49.7% could tolerate a maximum of 7%; 18.8% could grow at a maximum of 10%; and only 2.8% could tolerate 13% NaCl. In evaluating the relationships of NaCl tolerance to various taxonomic features, higher tolerance was statistically associated with the "yellow" and possibly the "white"-spored streptomycetes, whereas the "red"-spored series tended to have lesser tolerance. Higher tolerance was also indicated for spiny-spored species, as a group, than for smooth-spored forms. Likewise, nonproducers of melanin, collectively, were more NaCl tolerant than melanin-producing species. Uniformity of test responses between strains of species studied suggested the usefulness of NaCl tolerance as a taxonomic criterion.

Production of a naphthoquinone pigment by a species of Streptoverticillium and its accumulation by a streptomycete.

A naphthoquinone pigment produced by a species of Streptoverticillium was accumulated by a Streptomyces sp. when the two organisms were grown in mixed cultures.