Jairaj V. Pothuluri

Biosynthetic production of 13C and 14C erythronolide labeled erythromycin A.

(1,3,5,7,9,11,13-13C)-Erythromycin A and [1,3,5,7,9,11,13-14C]-erythromycin A were produced in liquid fermentation broths of Saccharopolyspora erythraea CA340 after the administration of (1-13C)-sodium propionate and [1-14C]-sodium propionate, respectively. Fermentations were carried out in shake flasks. Labeled erythromycin A products were isolated by ethyl acetate extraction of the fermentation broth, followed by chromatographic purification on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. 13C NMR verified (13C) incorporation at the seven possible positions on the erythronolide nucleus. Mass spectral analysis of (13C) labeled erythromycin A revealed a distribution of (13C) label which could be rationalized based on the known biosynthetic pathway for production of the erythronolide nucleus.