The influence of culture conditions on carotenogenesis in Streptococcus faecium UNH564P

The growth of Streptococcus faecium UNH564P and its production of triterpenoid carotenoids under a variety of culture conditions were examined. Total extractable cell lipid and carotenoid levels increased with culture age and paralleled the growth curve of the bacterium. Variations of the medium glucose concentration produced significant changes in both cell growth and carotenoid production, with the xanthophyll content decreasing at high glucose concentrations. Carotenoid degradation products were found in highly aerated cultures although a high glucose concentration appeared to have a sparing effect on oxidative degradation. Culture age appeared to have little effect on carotene:xanthophyll ratios. The significance of the production of total and individual carotenoids under the various culture conditions is discussed and related to a postulated scheme of triterpenoid carotenoid biosynthesis in the organism.