title: Zeaxanthin biosynthesis by members of the genus Muricauda.
abstract: Zeaxanthin, a C40xanthophyll carotenoid, has potential biological applications in nutrition and human health. In this study we characterized carotenoid composition in 5 taxonomically related marine bacterial isolates from the genus Muricauda. The pigment was characterized using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry, which confirmed the presence of all-trans-zeaxanthin. Muricauda strains produced zeaxanthin as a predominant carotenoid. M. flavescens JCM 11812(T) produced highest yield (4.4 +/- 0.2 mg L(-1)) when cultured on marine broth at 32 degrees C for 72 h. This is the first report on the presence of zeaxanthin among the majority of species from the genus Muricauda.
authors.forename: Sudharshan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prabhu
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Rekha
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Arun
mesh_terms: D041965:Flavobacteriaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D065146:Zeaxanthins
chemical_list: D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins