Medium optimization using mathematical statistics for production of β-Carotene by Blakeslea trispora and fermenting process regulation

β-Carotene-production methods, biosynthesis from Phaffia rhodozyma, factors affecting its production during fermentation, pharmacological properties: A review

β-Carotene is the most treasured provitamin A carotenoid molecule exhibiting antioxidant and coloring properties and significant applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. β-Carotene has many biological functions within the human body; however, it is not synthesized within the human body, so its requirements are fulfilled through food and pharmaceuticals. Its manufacturing via chemical synthesis or extraction from plants offers low yields with excessive manufacturing expenses, which attracted the researchers toward microbial production of β-carotene. This alternative provides higher yield and low expenses and thus is more economical. Phaffia rhodozyma is a basidiomycetous yeast that is utilized to prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer and to enhance immunity and antiaging in people. This paper reviews the methods of production of β-carotene, biosynthesis of β-carotene fromP. rhodozyma, factors affecting β-carotene production during fermentation, and pharmacological properties of β-carotene.

Fungi as a Potential Source of Pigments: Harnessing Filamentous Fungi

The growing concern over the harmful effects of synthetic colorants on both the consumer and the environment has raised a strong interest in natural coloring alternatives. As a result the worldwide demand for colorants of natural origin is rapidly increasing in the food, cosmetic and textile sectors. Natural colorants have the capacity to be used for a variety of industrial applications, for instance, as dyes for textile and non-textile substrates such as leather, paper, within paints and coatings, in cosmetics, and in food additives. Currently, pigments and colorants produced through plants and microbes are the primary source exploited by modern industries. Among the other non-conventional sources, filamentous fungi particularly ascomycetous and basidiomycetous fungi (mushrooms), and lichens (symbiotic association of a fungus with a green alga or cyanobacterium) are known to produce an extraordinary range of colors including several chemical classes of pigments such as melanins, azaphilones, flavins, phenazines, and quinines. This review seeks to emphasize the opportunity afforded by pigments naturally found in fungi as a viable green alternative to current sources. This review presents a comprehensive discussion on the capacity of fungal resources such as endophytes, halophytes, and fungi obtained from a range or sources such as soil, sediments, mangroves, and marine environments. A key driver of the interest in fungi as a source of pigments stems from environmental factors and discussion here will extend on the advancement of greener extraction techniques used for the extraction of intracellular and extracellular pigments. The search for compounds of interest requires a multidisciplinary approach and techniques such as metabolomics, metabolic engineering and biotechnological approaches that have potential to deal with various challenges faced by pigment industry.

Screening of carbon and nitrogen sources using mixture analysis designs for carotenoid production by Blakeslea trispora

The production of many secondary metabolites such as carotenoids is influenced by the type of carbon and nitrogen sources and C:N ratio applied in culture medium. The present study discusses the role of C:N ratio and screening of carbon and nitrogen sources using mixture analysis design in carotenoids production by Blakeslea trispora. The C:N ratios of 20, 40, and 60 with six nitrogen sources were evaluated. Results indicated that limitation of nitrogen source (C:N of 60) could improve carotenoids production. Six nitrogen and carbon sources were then screened using mixture analysis design. The most effective nitrogen and carbon sources were soybean powder and glucose, respectively. The productivity of carotenoids (983.8 ± 31.5 mg/L) based on consumed nitrogen and carbon source was 189.10 mg/g soybean powder and 19.66 mg/g glucose. Mixture analysis design indicated single carbon and nitrogen source were more effective than a mixture of sources for carotenoids production.

A simple method for the measurement of metabolic heat production rates during solid-state fermentations using β-carotene production with Blakeslea trispora as a model system

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) technology has been rapidly developed for the past 10 years as a production platform for secondary metabolites, biofuels, food, and pharmaceuticals. Yet, the main drawback of SSF is the local temperature rise of up to 20 K, which potentially reduces the strain activity and inactivates heat sensible products. Due to the low heat capacity and thermal conductivity of mixtures of air with plant material, in comparison to aqueous suspensions in submerged fermentations, heat from metabolic processes is less efficiently dissipated. The exact knowledge of the metabolic heat generation during SSF processes is crucial to guide strategies against overheating. In this work, a simple method using a cost-efficient multichannel instrument is proposed, which allows the determination of heat generation during SSF processes. This method was successfully tested and validated with Blakeslea trispora producing β-carotene during growth on barley. Additionally, the consequences of the generated metabolic heat during SSF on temperature rise and water evaporation were discussed. Finally, changes in growth and product concentration could also be detected by the heat signal, implying the potential as a timesaving screening method.