Question

Which of the following microbial sources is used for the production of antibiotic terramycin?

• A. Streptomyces erythreus
• B. Streptomyces venezuelae
• C. Streptomyces griseus
• D. Streptomyces aurifaciens

Hint:

Create a quick matching table in your notes for Microbes and their Products:
S. griseus $\rightarrow$ Streptomycin
S. venezuelae $\rightarrow$ Chloramphenicol
S. aurifaciens $\rightarrow$ Terramycin/Aureomycin

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Problem:
Antibiotics are crucial secondary metabolites produced largely by soil microorganisms, particularly the bacterial genus Streptomyces.
Different species of Streptomyces are specifically cultivated to harvest different types of antibiotics.
Step 2: Approach and Formula:
Match the specific commercial antibiotic (Terramycin) to its corresponding microbial source as documented in the standard biology curriculum tables.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Based on the recognized secondary metabolite tables:
- Streptomyces erythreus yields the antibiotic Erythromycin.
- Streptomyces venezuelae is the biological source for Chloromycetin (Chloramphenicol).
- Streptomyces griseus is famously utilized to produce Streptomycin.
- Streptomyces aurifaciens (often written as aureofaciens) is conventionally listed as the source organism for Oxytetracycline, which is commercially known as Terramycin (and also Aureomycin).
Step 4: Final Answer:
The microbial source used for producing terramycin is Streptomyces aurifaciens.