A Study on the Production of Clavulanic Acid by Streptomyces clavuligerus using Carbon Resources such as Glucose, Glycerol, and Wheat Bran

Clavulanic acid is the first B-Lactamase inhibitor that has been used clinically since 1981. This inhibitor is the natural product of the fermentation of Streptomyces clavuligerus and is useful for protecting B-lactams against lots of important B-lactamases such as Group A B-lactamases and Group D Cloxacillin lysis enzymes. The aim of this study was to optimize the composition of the fermentation medium in terms of the carbon source in the production of clavulanic acid.

In this experiment, the influence of different concentrations of glycerol 15 g/L, wheat bran 17 g/L, and glucose 18.1 g/L on the production of clavulanic acid was tested. After passing the levels of sporulation, seeding, and fermentation, the influence of different concentrations of glucose, wheat bran, and glycerol on pH rates, biomass, and morphology of Streptomyces clavuligerus was tested by the light microscope. The concentration of clavulanic acid produced was measured by spectrophotometry.

According to the results, the highest production of clavulanic acid in all substrates was on the eighth day. The use of glycerol at a concentration of 15 g/l produced 238.3 mg/l clavulanic acid, which had the highest production rate and also reduced production costs.

Due to the price, availability, and also increasing the production of glycerol and wheat bran (compared to corn oil), the production of clavulanic acid in environments containing glycerol and wheat bran is easier and more convenient.