Four recombinant strains of Escherichia coli were examined for the effects of the dissolved oxygen level on the level of biomass, the plasmid content, and the level of recombinant protein at the stationary phase of batch growth. Strains JM101/pYEJ001, and TB-1/pYEJ001 (encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase), and strain TB-1/p1034, and TB-1/pUC19 (encoding beta-galactosidase) were grown at the constant dissolved oxygen levels of 0, 50, and 100% air saturation, as well as in the absence of dissolved oxygen control. The biomass of all strains under constant aerobic conditions was 12-36 times higher than that under anaerobic conditions, but was the same as or slightly higher than that without dissolved oxygen control. The plasmid content in all strains under aerobic conditions was 2.9-11.7 times higher than that under aerobic conditions. The optimal dissolved oxygen concentration for the specific activity of recombinant proteins was dependent upon the strain. In no strain were constant aerobic conditions optimal. However, because of the effect on biomass, controlled aerobic conditions were optimal for the volumetric activity of recombinant protein in all but one strain.