title: Efficiency of selected mutagens in generating Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous strains hyperproducing astaxanthin.
abstract: Astaxanthin is a xanthophill pigment with commercial application in the aquaculture, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. The red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous is one of the most promising microorganisms for its industrial production. However, astaxanthin content in wild yeast strains is low. Pigment production by X. dendrorhous can be improved by mutagenesis. The aim of the study was to assess the efficiency of four mutagens: UV radiation, benomyl, ethyl methanesulfonate and ethidium bromide in generating asthaxanthin-hyperproducing strains of the yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous DSM 5626. Mutations with benomyl, ethidium bromide and UV radiation generated a group of hyperpigmented mutants exhibiting increases up to 100% in astaxanthin content. Ethyl methanesulfonate turned out to be useless in this respect.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Technology of Plant Origin Food, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poland. bstach@up.poznan.pl
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stachowiak
mesh_terms: D001542:Benomyl / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005020:Ethyl Methanesulfonate; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009153:Mutagens; D009154:Mutation; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000378:metabolism; D015003:Yeasts / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D024341:Xanthophylls; C005948:astaxanthine; D005020:Ethyl Methanesulfonate; D001542:Benomyl