Effect of natural precursors and micro/macroparticles addition on the morphology modulation of Streptomyces toxytricini KD18 stimulates lipstatin productivity

The cellular architecture of filamentous microbes is of great interest because it is frequently associated with secondary metabolite productivity and can be altered by cultivation conditions. Hence, the evaluation of cell morphology is of the utmost significance for better understanding of industrial processes involving filamentous bacteria. In the present study, effect of glass beads and silica particle addition have been seen in the enhancement of lipstatin production along with alterations in the morphology. The addition of glass beads and silica particles directed the morphology of Streptomyces toxytricini KD18 towards the formation of small pellets (0.3 to 0.4mm) with dispersed mycelia as compared to the control conditions (0.04 to 2mm). A four-fold increase in lipstatin production was achieved due to mechanical stress caused by glass beads and silica particles. The addition of natural precursors, i.e., Aloe vera pulp, Hibiscus cannabinus leaves and flowers improved the production of lipstatin from 2.06 mg/ml to 6.76 mg/ml, 11.4 mg/ml and 14.09 mg/ml, respectively along with alteration in the pellet morphology in 500 ml shake flask.