The physiology of production of the antibiotic cyathin by Cyathus helenae

Abstract

The maximum production of cyathin occurred when Cyathus helenae was grown in static surface culture. The yields of cyathin were high on a semisynthetic medium as well as on a chemically defined medium developed during this study. The concentration of sugar in either medium determined the yield of cyathin. Of the micronutrients tested, zinc had a stimulatory effect on the production of cyathin. A pH range of 4.5 to 5.5 and temperature of 22 °C were the best combination for maximum yield of cyathin. Of the seven vitamins tested, only riboflavin influenced the cyathin production.A study of various nitrogen sources showed that C. helenae grew better on organic nitrogen; nitrates enhanced cyathin production considerably without an appreciable change in the growth of the fungus. Dextrose, fructose, maltose, and starch all proved to be good sources of carbon for the production of cyathin.