Conditions for the Production of Carotenoids by Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185 and Aurantiochytrium sp. ATCC PRA-276

Abstract

ABSTRACTThere is an intensive search for alternative sources of bioactive molecules, including carotenoids, due to their potent antioxidant activities. Some aquatic microorganisms, such as thraustochytrids, have the ability to synthesize large amounts of carotenoids. The objective of this investigation was to study the effect of growth conditions (carbon: total nitrogen ratio and cultivation system) on the production of carotenoids by Thraustochytrium sp. and Aurantiochytrium sp. For Thraustochytrium sp. culture, carotenoid production was lowered by increasing the initial glucose concentration or continuous supply of glucose and nitrogen. For Aurantiochytrium sp. culture, restraining nitrogen supply or especially using a continuous supply of glucose and total nitrogen decreased total carotenoid productivity. The highest total carotenoid production (2.22 mg/L, w/v) was obtained after 192 h of cultivation of Thraustochytrium sp. using initial concentrations of 30 g/L glucose and 2.4 g/L total nitrogen (batch system). The highest production of astaxanthin was achieved in the fed-batch system with a C/N ratio of 6.2 for Thraustochytrium sp. and 40 for Aurantiochytrium sp. Therefore, it was found that the carotenoid profile can be changed by modifying the growth conditions, which can be useful for the food industry and biotechnological applications.