title: New insights into mechanisms of growth and beta-carotene production in Blakeslea trispora.
abstract: Blakeslea trispora (Mucorales) has economic importance because of its ability to produce large amounts of beta-carotene. To shed light on the actual point of induction and to shorten the following production process, germination and growth of its two mating types, (-) and (+), were observed separately, and the mating point was investigated in lab scale experiments. The (-) mating type showed much faster germination than the (+) type on solid medium and in Erlenmeyer flasks. However, after a first period, the (-) mating type grew clearly slower than the (+) type. In addition, the (-) type branched more vividly than the (+) type. A ratio of 30:1 of (-) and (+) type at an age of 20 h was found to achieve highest beta-carotene yields. Our results provide a comprehensive overview of Blakeslea trispora growth and its product synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Biosynergy GmbH, Leipzig, Germany. karen.boehme@gmail.com
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Böhme
authors.forename: Christin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pätz
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D008954:Models, Biological; D009090:Mucorales / Q000145:classification / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene