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Does the light influence astaxanthin production in Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous?
A Tropea1, T Gervasi, M R Melito
1Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. S. d'Alcontres, Messina, Italy.
Natural Product Research
|May 24, 2012
Summary
This study explored astaxanthin production in the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrouhous, comparing conventional and enlightened bioreactors. Conventional reactors yielded higher astaxanthin production, suggesting optimization potential for natural pigment bioprocesses.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Microbial Fermentation
Background:
- Astaxanthin is a valuable natural pigment with significant health applications.
- Current demand from feed, food, and cosmetic industries necessitates sustainable bioprocesses for astaxanthin production.
- Extracting natural astaxanthin from Xanthophyllomyces dendrouhous is currently more expensive than chemical synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate astaxanthin production by Xanthophyllomyces dendrouhous under conventional and enlightened reactor conditions.
- To optimize astaxanthin yield by evaluating the influence of light and nutrient sources.
- To compare the economic sustainability of bioprocesses versus chemical synthesis for astaxanthin.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of Xanthophyllomyces dendrouhous in conventional and enlightened bioreactors.
- Fed-batch cultivation strategies were employed.
- Fermentation parameters, including light exposure and nutrient sources, were tested for optimization.
Main Results:
- An astaxanthin yield of approximately 970 µg/g was achieved in the conventional reactor.
- The enlightened reactor resulted in a slightly lower yield of about 930 µg/g.
- Fed-batch cultivation in the conventional reactor proved effective for maximizing astaxanthin production.
Conclusions:
- Conventional bioreactors appear more effective for astaxanthin production by Xanthophyllomyces dendrouhous compared to enlightened reactors under the tested conditions.
- Further optimization of nutrient sources and light conditions may enhance yields in both reactor types.
- Developing cost-effective bioprocesses remains crucial for meeting the growing demand for natural astaxanthin.
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