Secondary metabolism in simulated microgravity: β-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 β-lactam antibiotic production by Streptomyces clavuligerus. Both growth and β-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 β-lactam antibiotic production was markedly inhibited by simulated microgravity.