title: Microalgae mediated photoproduction of beta-carotene in aqueous-organic two phase systems.
abstract: Improving productivity is a usual requirement for most biotechnological processes, and the utilisation of two-phase aqueous organic systems has proved to be an effective way to improve the productivity of poorly water-soluble or toxic compounds. The high hydrophobicity of beta-carotene, which is highly demanded by the pharma and agrofood industry, makes it a good candidate for aqueous/organic biphasic photoproduction. In the present work we have investigated the viability of a two-phase system for the production of beta-carotene by the marine microalgae Dunaliella salina using decane as organic phase. Decane, with a logP(octanol) value of 5.6, showed no toxicity to Dunaliella cells for more than 72 h, and its ability for beta-carotene extraction is acceptable. Transferring Dunaliella cells from standard to carotenogenic conditions caused inhibition of chlorophyll production and induced a strong synthesis of beta-carotene. The two-phase aqueous/decane system was stable and beta-carotene content of the cells was increasing during 4-days. About 8% of the total carotenoids produced were excreted and extracted into the decane phase.
authors.affiliation: Dpt. de Química y CC MM (Area de Bioquímica), Facultad de Ciencias Experimentales, Campus del Carmen, Universidad de Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain. rleon@uhu.es
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: León
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vigara
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vilchez
authors.forename: José María
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vega
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D000473:Alkanes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D008027:Light; D044367:Phase Transition; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012997:Solvents / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D012997:Solvents; D019207:beta Carotene; D014867:Water; D002734:Chlorophyll; C012867:decane