Penicillium expansum, a Resident Fungal Strain of the Orbital Complex Mir, Producing Xanthocyllin X and Questiomycin A

It was demonstrated that the fungus Penicillium expansum 2-7, a resident strain of the orbital complex Mir, which became dominant at the end of a long-term space flight, formed biologically active secondary metabolites (antibiotics). Using physicochemical methods these metabolites were identified as xanthocyllin X and questiomycin A. The time courses of their biosyntheses during the growth and development of the producer culture were studied. The addition of zinc to the culture medium affected both the growth of the culture and the biosyntheses of the antibiotics. The concentrations of zinc in the medium, optimum for xanthocyllin X and questiomycin A production, were 0.3 and 3.0 mg/l, respectively.