A HIGH PRODUCTIVITY, CONTINUOUS FERMENTATION PROCESS FOR CAROTENOID-PRODUCING MICROORGANISMS

摘要

A high productivity method for efficiently fermenting heterotrophic algae. The method includes diluting the fermentation broth. Additionally, a carbon source for the growth of the microorganisms is limited in a manner designed to restrict the growth rate to a level less than the maximum rate. The method is especially useful in the fermentation of Neospongiococcum algae. In preferred embodiments, the temperature of the fermentation broth is maintained from 30 DEG C to about 38 DEG C and the pH of the fermentation broth is maintained from about pH 5.5 to about pH 6.5. Using this method, volumetric productivity has been increased to at least about 20 mg total xanthophylls per liter per hour.