Production of oxytetracycline by immobilized Streptomyces rimosus cells in calcium alginate gels

Streptomyces rimosus Pfizer 18234–2 cells were immobilized in calcium alginate and used for the production of oxytetracycline. The influence of the incubation period, alginate concentration and storage in CaCl2 were investigated. From the results of the repeated batch fermentations of the shake flasks, a good level of antibiotic was maintained for a period of about 28 days using 4% calcium alginate. The cell leakage and cell concentration inside the beads were affected by the alginate concentration and storage in CaCl2 solution.