Secondary metabolism in simulated microgravity: beta-lactam production by Streptomyces clavuligerus

Rotating bioreactors designed at NASA's Johnson Space Center were used to simulate a microgravity environment in which to study secondary metabolism, The system examined was p-lactam antibiotic production by Streptomyces clavuligerus, Both growth and p-lactam production occurred in simulated microgravity, Stimulatory effects of phosphate and L-lysine, previously detected in normal gravity, also occurred in simulated microgravity, The degree of p-lactam antibiotic production was markedly inhibited by simulated microgravity.