Improved β-carotene production by oxidative stress in Blakeslea trispora induced by liquid paraffin

Abstract

When 3% (v/v) liquid paraffin was added to the medium, β-carotene production increased from 397 to 715mgl(-1) in mated cultures of Blakeslea trispora. Liquid paraffin also enhanced the oxygen concentration and induce high oxidative stress, as observed by the increase in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD). After 84h of cultivation in the presence of liquid paraffin, the activities of SOD, CAT and POD in B. trispora increased 77, 52.5 and 76.6%, respectively.