Production of carotenoids by Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous growing on enzymatic hydrolysates of prehydrolysed wood

Microbial Astaxanthin Production from Agro-Industrial Wastes—Raw Materials, Processes, and Quality

The antioxidant and food pigment astaxanthin (AX) can be produced by several microorganisms, in auto- or heterotrophic conditions. Regardless of the organism, AX concentrations in culture media are low, typically about 10–40 mg/L. Therefore, large amounts of nutrients and water are necessary to prepare culture media. Using low-cost substrates such as agro-industrial solid and liquid wastes is desirable for cost reduction. This opens up the opportunity of coupling AX production to other existing processes, taking advantage of available residues or co-products in a biorefinery approach. Indeed, the scientific literature shows that many attempts are being made to produce AX from residues. However, this brings challenges regarding raw material variability, process conditions, product titers, and downstream processing. This text overviews nutritional requirements and suitable culture media for producing AX-rich biomass: production and productivity ranges, residue pretreatment, and how the selected microorganism and culture media combinations affect further biomass production and quality. State-of-the-art technology indicates that, while H. pluvialis will remain an important source of AX, X. dendrorhous may be used in novel processes using residues.

Astaxanthin Synthesis by Yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous and its Mutants on Media Based on Plant Extracts

The study evaluated the effect of media based on plant extracts: potato, carrot and barley malt broth, on growth and astaxanthin synthesis by yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous DSM 5626 and its mutants. The carrot medium promoted carotenogenesis most effectively. In cultures on this medium the highest volumetric and cellular concentrations of astaxanthin were recorded for four out of five tested strains. Also the share of astaxanthin in the total carotenoids produced by the tested strains was the highest.