Production of Aspergillic Acid by Surface Cultures of Aspergillus flavus.

It has been reported by White (1940), Rake, McKee, and Jones (1942), White and Hill (1943), Jones, Rake, and Hamre (1943), and Bush, Dickison, Ward, and Avery (1945) that the fungus Aspergillusflavus produces an antibiotic substance known as aspergillic acid. Aspergillusflavus is also known to produce other antibiotic substances such as flavacidin (McKee, Rake, and Houck, 1943; McKee and MacPhillamy, 1943), and flavicin (Bush, Goth, and Dickison, 1945). However, for economical large-scale production of aspergillic acid, it was necessary to try additional media and methods of cultivation. The studies described in this report resulted in the development of suitable methods for obtaining valuable increases in the yields of material produced by the fungus.