HPLC analysis of fermentation extracts from wild-type, ΔdynE8 (QGD01), Δorf8 (QGD08) and Δorf23 (QGD23) Micromonospora chersina strains: (i) 8 authentic standard, (ii) wild-type, (iii) QGD01, (iv) QGD08, and (v) QGD23. The violet color, solubility and UV-vis signature of the QGD23 putative 8 shunt metabolite [CH3CN: 233.4, 279 (sh), 543 nm] are similar to that of 8 [CH3CN: 237, 280 (sh), 543 nm]. Parameters for analytical HPLC and product characterization are described in Materials and methods.