Microbiological production of carotenoids. VII. Influence of hydrocarbon on carotenogenesis by mated cultures of Blakeslea trispora.

Synthesis of beta-carotene by mated strains of Blakeslea trispora in shaken-flask culture was considerably enhanced by adding either 5% kerosene after 2 days of fermentation or acid-refined kerosene at the start of fermentation to a grain-based medium that also contained a natural lipid, nonionic detergent, and beta-ionone; average yields of 17,500 mug per g of dry fermentation solids (86,000 mug per 100 ml of medium) were attained when refined kerosene was used. Almost all of the carotene was retained within the mycelium. Peak yields were achieved in 5 days.