Zeaxanthin-Producing Winogradskyella schleiferi Strains

Area of Science:

• Marine microbiology
• Natural product chemistry

Background:

• Pigmented bacteria are sources of valuable compounds.
• Marine environments harbor diverse microbial communities with unique metabolic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize novel pigmented marine bacteria.
• To investigate the carotenoid production potential of these isolates.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of bacteria from the Mediterranean Sea.
• Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
• Identification and quantification of carotenoids using spectrophotometry and HPLC.
• Optimization of culture conditions for pigment production.

Main Results:

• Two bacterial strains affiliated with Winograsdskyella schleiferi were isolated.
• Zeaxanthin was identified as the major carotenoid, predominantly in the all-trans configuration.
• Maximal zeaxanthin yields of 1–1.3 mg L^-1 were achieved between 48 and 56 hours.
• Carotenoid production was influenced by incubation temperature.

Conclusions:

• The isolated strains exhibit enhanced carbon source assimilation compared to reference strains.
• These marine bacteria are promising candidates for the biotechnological production of zeaxanthin.
• Potential applications include feed additives, macular degeneration, and melanoma treatments.