[Action of chemical and physical mutagenic factors on the tetracycline producer Streptomyces aureofaciens].

The mutagenic effects of N-nitrozomethylbiuret (N-NMB), N-nitrozomethylurea (N-NMU), N-nitrozodimethylurea (N-NDMU), ethylene imine and UV light on Str. aureofacients producing tetracycline was studied comparatively. It was shown that N-NMU and N-NMB had a higher toxicity and mutagenic activity as compared to N-NDMU. The toxicity levels of N-NMU and N-NMB were similar. Still, by the number of the morphological mutations induced by them N-NMU was more effective.