Optimizing β-carotene production byBlakeslea trisporausing bug damaged wheat

Abstract

Purpose β-carotene, found naturally in many foods, has been widely used as a colourant in various products. The aim of this study is to optimize the production of β-carotene by Blakeslea trispora using bug-damaged wheat as the main nitrogen and carbon source. Design/methodology/approach Response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to determine the optimum concentrations of media components for the maximum β-carotene production. β-carotene concentration was determined quantitively using a spectrophotometric method. Findings A full quadratic model fit the data best for β-carotene production with a high R2 value (0.999). Using optimized media increased the production of β-carotene by B. trispora DSM-2387 and B. trispora DSM-2388 to a higher level (250.407 mg/l) than the control medium (72.195 mg/l). Originality/value This study showed that bug-damaged wheat, an agro-industrial waste having low economical value, may be used as a valuable substrate for microbial production of β-carotene, a natural food colourant possessing high economical value.

Medium optimization and downstream process design for the augmented yield of β-Carotene using fungi Blakeslea trispora

“…Though β -Carotene is expensive, it has wide applications in the food and feed industry. The demand for β -Carotene in the growing global market is relatively high (Durakli Velioglu and Tirpanci Sivri, 2018).…”