METHOD OF PRODUCING BETA-CAROTENE BY MEANS OF MIXED CULTURE FERMENTATION USING (+) AND (-) STRAINS OF BLAKESLEA TRISPORA

摘要

The invention consists of fermenting selected strains of Blakeslea trispora in conditions such that beta -carotene is produced in the form of stabilized preparations with residual contents of other carotenoids ( gamma -carotene and beta -zeacarotene). The fermentation conditions chosen include the programmed addition of oxygen and/or beta -ionone during fermentation, and control of the age of the vegetative growth phases of the strains employed. The beta -carotene obtained can be used in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.