[Interdependence of mycelial dehydrogenase activity in Streptomyces aureofaciens and its capacity for tetracycline biosynthesis].

The maximum dehydrogenase (oxidation-reduction) activity of the vegetative inoculum of S. aureofaciens is the criterion of its availability for transfer to the fermentation medium. The activity is determined by the rate of the methylen blue reduction and the growth characteristics of the seed culture. A method for estimation of the mycelium amount in the medium containing insoluble solid particles is described. The method is based on the capacity of the tetracycline-producing organism for decoloration of methylen blue.