Quantitative analysis of mycelium morphological characteristics and rifamycin B production using Nocardia mediterranei.

Rifamycin B production in batch culture of Nocardia mediterranei was compared with mycelium morphological changes. Rheological behaviour of batch culture medium was identified and various rheological parameters were evaluated in order to characterize quantitatively the morphological changes. Rifamycin B production kinetic parameters in the batch culture were also calculated and the parameters were compared with the rheological parameters. Consequently, specific rifamycin B production rate (qrif) was closely related to yield shear stress (tau 0) and to morphological factor (delta*). Both parameters are considered to be important for the production control of rifamycin B.