Methods of obtaining epothilone D using crystallization and /or by the culture of cells in the presence of methyl oleate

Sorangium cellulosum Myxococcus xanthus Methods are provided for purification of epothilone D and epothilone D analogs from epothilone producing cells such as, for example, and (recombinant). Epothilone can be purified from fermentation broth, for example by using resins, chromatography, and crystallization. Epothilone D can be crystallized from a binary solvent system in which water is the forcing solvent.