Production of carotenoids by Brevibacterium linens : variation among strains, kinetic aspects and HPLC profiles

This work describes carotenoid pigment production by the red bacterium Brevibacterium linens covering strain diversity, kinetic and analytical aspects. Pigment production of 23 B. linens strains ranged from 0.05 to 0.60 mg pigments L−1 culture, with specific productivity from 0.2 to 0.6 mg pigments per g dry biomass. The pigment production time curve showed a sigmoid shape, that matched cell growth. HPLC analysis revealed three groups of peaks, possibly non-hydroxylated, mono- and di-hydroxylated carotenoids. Polar molecules were mainly represented. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 64–70.