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Degeneration of Penicillin Titre in Cultures of Penicillium chrysogenum

Nature volume 218, pages 371–372 (1968)Cite this article

Abstract

STRAINS of Penicillium chrysogenum yielding penicillin may show a decrease in antibiotic titre after a period of storage or of continued subculture1–3. The work described here was undertaken to determine whether this loss of antibiotic productivity has a genetic origin. Degeneration caused by an excessive number of serial passages can obviously be precluded by restrictions on subculturing3. The results obtained in our studies support a previous suggestion4 that preservation at very low temperatures is a method of avoiding degeneration during storage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbiological Research Establishment, Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire

    K. D. MACDONALD

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  1. K. D. MACDONALD
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MACDONALD, K. Degeneration of Penicillin Titre in Cultures of Penicillium chrysogenum. Nature 218, 371–372 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218371a0

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