[Nitrogen metabolism characteristics of P. chrysogenum in relation to penicillin biosynthesis].

Quantitative correlation between the nitrogen level in the mycelium of P. chrysogenum and biosynthesis of penicillin was shown. With an increase in the nitrogen level of the mycelium, its productivity with respect to the formation of the antibiotic also increased. The high level of nitrogen in the mycelium is an obligatory but not sufficient parameter characterizing the penicillin production capacity of the mycelium. The content of acid soluble compounds in the mycelium was found to be important for estimation of its productivity. Intensively aerated mycelium contained much greater numbers of nitrogen labile forms and had higher productivity levels as compared to the mycelium grown under poor aeration.