Studies on the selection of antibiotic producing strains by treatment with qigong

Tsinghua University in collaboration with North China Pharmaceutical Corporation has studied antibiotic-producing strains by treating with qigong. Some strains of high-titer and good character have been selected after strictly primary and repeated screening, and are now investigated under mass production. Our preliminary result shows that qigong can be used as an approach to select industrial microbiological strains. In comparison with the current physical and chemical mutagenesis, qigong is convenient, simple, high-efficient, and harmless to human body. The secret behind this new method remains to be investigated.

1. Study on the selection of Streptomyces Griseus by treating with qigong.

Streptomyces griseus strain 8512# were treated with qigong in triplicate. In qigong group, survival rate of spores was 59-86%; no significant morphological changes of colonies was observed. 53 strains of 8512# were selected, having a rate of positive change 23%, a maximum increase in titer 23.7%; a max. increase 32.4% in average of 3 repeated experiments. 53 strains of 8801# were selected, having a rate of positive change 10%, a max. increase 24.2%; a max. increase 16.4% in repeated experiments. After treated with qigong, the growth rate of mycelium is greater than that of the original strain, glyco and nitrogen metabolism is also slightly faster than that of the control group.

2. Study on the Streptomyces Rimosus Treated with Qigong.

Oxxytetracycline-producing strain (streptomyces rimosus) was treated with qigong. In qigong group, survival rate of spores was 50.3%-276.7%. 145 strain were selected, having a rate of positive change 100% a max. increase of titer 13.5%. Out of which 16 strains (11% of the total strains selected)were selected to cover with sand. In control group. 46 strains were selected, from which 9 strains (19% of the total strains selected) were chosen to cover with sand. 3 repeated experiments were made. In qigong group, the titer si 100% higher than the original strain while in the control group only 55% higher. In repeated experiments, a maximum increase in titer is 14.2%. The colonies in qigong group grow faster than other two groups.

3. Study on the Demethylchlortetracycline-Producing Strain Treated with Qigong.

Demethylchlortetracycline-producing strain 89-3-92# was treated with qigong in 4 parallel experiments. In qigong group, survival rate of spores 100%: the colonies was 2 days earlier; slant culture was also faster than that of the control group; spores full-grown and results of physiological-biochemical test were the same as that of the control group. 75 strains were selected, having a rate of positive change 67.3%. From which 5 strains were retested and a strain of maximum output was obtained with output 17.96% higher than the control and the content of demethylchlorteracycline also increased.

4. Study on the Selection of Penicillin-Producing Strain by Treating with Qigong.

Penicillin-producing strain 89-9-75# was treated with qigong. 4 parallel experiments were made. In qigong group, survival rate of spores was 84.62%-100%; no morphological changes in colonies was seen. 67 strains were selected having a rate of positive change 34.3%; a maximum increase of titer 17.14% in comparison with the control, 7 of which were rechecked. Results of 3 repeated test show that the average titer of the best strain is 4.84% higher than that of the good strain from natural selection and is 10.2% higher than that of the strain of production.