Optimization of solid state medium for the production of clavulanic acid by Streptomyces clavuligerus

Abstract The composition of solid medium employed in solid state fermentation to obtain clavulanic acid in batch cultures of Streptomyces clavuligerus by factorial design has been studied. Wheat rawa, soya flour, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate and sunflower oil cake were found to be suitable components of the medium for clavulanic acid production. A full factorial design was employed to study the interaction of each component of the medium, which led to the subsequent generation of a set of regression equations. Analysis of variance and response surface methodologies led to an optimal composition.