IMPROVED METHOD OF PRODUCING LYCOPENE THROUGH THE FERMENTATION OF SELECTED STRAINS OF BLAKESLEA TRISPORA, FORMULATIONS AND USES OF THE LYCOPENE THUS OBTAINED

摘要

Process for producing lycopene (I) from biosynthetic sources. Process for producing lycopene (I) from biosynthetic sources comprises: (a) optionally fermenting mixed strains of Blakeslea trispora (+) and (-) under (I)-producing conditions; (b) direct treatment of the biosynthetic source (particularly the fermentation broth of (a)) with alcohol and separation of the wet, purified biomass (A); (c) drying (A), with disaggregation and rupture; (d) extracting (I) from the biomass with organic solvent; (e) concentrating the extract; (f) precipitation/crystallization of (I) from the concentrate by adding alcohol; and (g) filtering, drying and formulating. An independent claim is also included for compositions containing (I) produced by this method.