Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of obtaining different biologically pure cultures of bacteria isolated from different species of Taxus such as Taxus canadensis. T. brevifolia, T. baccata, T. cuspidata, and T. hunnewelliana, wherein the bacteria produce in vitro taxanes and paclitaxel, and wherein the bacteria are of the genus Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Pantoea or Curtobacterium. Also, the present invention relates to a method of a bacterial mass production of at least one taxane or paclitaxel. There is also disclosed a novel bacterial taxane. The present invention also relates to the use of different biologically pure cultures of bacteria isolated from different species of Taxus, wherein the bacteria are able to biotransform pro-taxanes. There is also provided a process for improving taxanes and paclitaxel production of taxanes and paclitaxel producing bacteria which include culturing bacteria in the presence of a mutagenic agent for a period a time sufficient to allow mutagenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biologically pure culture of a novel bacteria of genus Erwinia, which is isolated from Taxus canadensis, and wherein said bacteria of genus Erwinia is characterized by the production of paclitaxel and related taxanes in a fermentative or respiratory type of metabolism from simple semi-synthetic or synthetic culture media. Also, the present invention relates to a method of bacterial mass production of paclitaxel and related taxanes which comprises the steps of: a) culturing the bacteria of genus Erwinia of the present invention in a growth-supporting nutrient medium capable of promoting growth and reproduction of said bacteria, and wherein said culturing is effected for a time sufficient to allow production of paclitaxel and related taxanes; and b) isolating said produced paclitaxel and related taxanes from said culturing medium of step a).