The stability of carotenoids from a marine photosynthetic bacterium Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii P2

Abstract

Carotenoids are increasingly used in food and medical industry. However, the instability of carotenoids restricted its application. The stability of carotenoids extracts from a marine photosynthetic bacterium, Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii P2, was studied under different storage conditions including light and dark, temperature (4–60°C), pH range (4.0–10.0), and three metallic solutions (Na+, Mg2+, & Fe3+). The results showed that carotenoids were suitable to store at dark, low temperature, and neutral-to-alkali conditions. At the presence of metals, including Na+, Mg2+, and Fe3+, carotenoids decreased differently. Especially, Fe3+ could seriously decrease the carotenoids concentration. The research could provide a reference for storage of natural pigments, especially carotenoids from photosynthetic bacteria. Novelty impact statement The stability of carotenoids extracts from a marine photosynthetic bacterium, Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii P2, was studied under different storage conditions. The present research work showed that carotenoids from marine photosynthetic bacterium P2 were suitable for storage in dark, low temperature, neutral-to-alkaline medium. In the presence of metallic solutions, including Na+, Mg2+, and Fe3+, carotenoids decreased differently.