Carotenoid production by Formosa sp. KMW, a marine bacteria of Flavobacteriaceae family: Influence of culture conditions and nutrient composition

Abstract

Abstract Exploitation of microbial sources for production of carotenoids is important as an alternative to synthetic carotenoids. The carotenoid production by microorganism is dependent on culture conditions and the nutrients. In this study, the carotenoid production by the marine bacteria Formosa sp. KMW belonging to Flavobacteriaceae family was evaluated under different growth conditions and nutrient composition. The yield of the total carotenoid produced increased with incubation time and the zeaxanthin content increased to 51.4±1.5% of total carotenoids after 6 days of incubation. The total carotenoid production was highest (0.97±0.03 mg/L) at pH 7.0. Carotenoid extract yield and carotenoid content were higher when the culture was grown under shaking condition under light. Significantly higher carotenoid production was observed in the absence of sugars (0.69±0.14 mg/L). The yield of carotenoid significantly (p