AUTOINDUCER COMPOUND TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF NATAMYCIN PRODUCING STREPTOMYCES STRAINS

The invention provides a compound of the formula (I). Furthermore, the invention provides a process for the production of a compound of formula (I). The present invention also provides a process for the production of natamycin by a Streptomycesstrain comprising adding a composition comprising an auto inducer to the fermentation medium. The present invention furthermore provides the use of a compound of formula (I) in the manufacture of a product by fermentation of a Streptomycesstrain. The present invention finally discloses a Streptomyces strain that is defective in natamycin production and that is capable of producing a compound of formula (I) wherein both R₁ and R₂ are hydrogen and a Streptomycesstrain that is defective in production of a compound of formula (I) wherein both R₁ and R₂ are hydrogen and that is capable of producing natamycin in the presence of said compound.