Expandase-like activity mediated cell-free conversion of ampicillin to cephalexin by Streptomyces sp. DRS I.
Cell-free extracts of Streptomyces sp. DRS I converted ampicillin to cephalexin, presumably due to the activity of the enzyme, expandase. The extract was fractionated and characterized by colorimetric and chromatographic measurements coupled with disc-agar diffusion bioassay against an ampicillin-resistant, cephalexin-sensitive E. coli strain. Though expandase could not be identified, the presence of a hitherto unreported expandase in Streptomyces sp. DRS I is suggested.
Thakur
D
D
Biotechnology Division, North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR), Jorhat, 785006, Assam, India. debajitthakur@fastmail.fm
Roy
M K
MK
Bora
T C
TC