Production of beta-carotene by a mutant of Rhodotorula glutinis

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 55; no. 4; pp. 423 - 427
• Main Authors: Bhosale, P.B, Gadre, R.V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01-05-2001
• Subjects: b-Carotene; beta Carotene - biosynthesis; beta-carotene; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; carbon; Carbon - metabolism; carotenoids; Culture Media; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; glucose; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Microbial engineering. Fermentation and microbial culture technology; Mutagenesis; mutants; nitrogen; Nitrogen - metabolism; Rhodotorula - genetics; Rhodotorula - metabolism; Rhodotorula - radiation effects; Rhodotorula glutinis; Rhodotorula rubra; salts; ultraviolet radiation; Ultraviolet Rays; yeast extract; Fungi; Culture medium; Yeast; Production; Rhodotorula glutinis; Microorganism culture; Fungi Imperfecti; Betacarotene; Mutation; Carotenoid; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/s002530000570

Wild strains of Rhodotorula glutinis and R. rubra were investigated concerning their carotenoid production, proportion of beta-carotene and cell mass yield. R. glutinis NCIM 3353 produced 2.2 mg carotenoid/l in 72 h; and the amount of beta-carotene was 14% (w/w) of the total carotenoid content (17 microgram/g cell dry weight). It was subjected to mutagenesis using UV radiation for strain improvement. Out of 2,051 isolates screened, the yellow coloured mutant 32 produced 120-fold more beta-carotene (2,048 microgram/g cell dry weight) than the parent culture in 36 h, which was 82% (w/w) of the total carotenoid content. Mutant 32 was grown on different carbon and nitrogen sources. The best yield of beta-carotene (33 +/- 3 mg/l) was obtained when glucose and yeast extract were supplied as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Divalent cation salts further increased the total carotenoid content (66 +/- 2 mg/l) with beta-carotene as the major component (55 +/- 2%, w/w).