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Use of n ‐hexadecane as an oxygen vector to improve Phaffia rhodozyma growth and carotenoid production in shake‐flask cultures
Author(s) -
Liu Y.S.,
Wu J.Y.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.03009.x
Subject(s) - carotenoid , yeast , fermentation , hexadecane , yeast extract , food science , oxygen , biology , chemistry , biochemistry , organic chemistry
Aims: To identify beneficial oxygen vectors for Phaffia rhodozyma in liquid cultures, and to evaluate their use to improve the oxygen transfer and carotenoid production in the yeast cultures. Methods and Results: Several liquid hydrocarbons were tested as oxygen vectors for improving the yeast growth and carotenoid production in shake‐flask cultures of P. rhodozyma . While all nontoxic organic liquids (Log P: ≥5·6) showed a positive effect, n ‐hexadecane was proved to be the most beneficial for the yeast growth and carotenoid production. The addition of 9% (v/v) n ‐hexadecane to the liquid medium at the time of inoculation was found to be optimal, increasing the carotenoid yield by 58% (14·5 mg l −1 vs 9·2 g l −1 in the control) and the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) by 90%. Conclusions: The addition of n ‐hexadecane to shake‐flask cultures of P. rhodozyma significantly improved the oxygen transfer in culture, thus increasing the carotenoid production. Significance and Impact of the Study: Use of organic oxygen vectors such as n ‐hexadecane may be a simple and useful means for enhancing oxygen transfer and carotenoid production in liquid fermentation of P. rhodozyma .