Studies on the stability of a carotenoid produced by a novel isolate using low cost agro-industrial residue and its application in different model systems

Abstract

A novel carotenoid producing strain of Dietzia maris NIT-D was isolated from soil and cultured in shake flasks, employing sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate (SCBH) as the carbon source, under optimized conditions. The pigment was identified as trans-canthaxanthin. The purified pigment extracts were submitted to temperature and pH stability analysis and results obtained were fitted into the fractional conversion model and the first order kinetic model respectively. Canthaxanthin showed maximum stability at 30 °C and at a near-neutrality pH value of 6.5. The pure pigment extract was introduced in 2 model systems and stored at different temperatures and illumination conditions for 32 days. Storage studies showed that canthaxanthin was sensitive to light and temperature of storage. Maximum stability was observed when purified canthaxanthin was stored in dark at 4 °C. Results also showed that canthaxanthin was more stable in Aloe vera solution than in bovine serum albumin solution. The modified logarithmic model aptly justified the pigment stability under storage. Canthaxanthin, produced from low-cost agro-industrial waste, may be used as colorant under mild process conditions.