Patent · US Expired

Fungal negative microorganism capable of producing high levels of beta-carotene

US5328845A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
16References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 27, 1992
Grant dateJul 12, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 27, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S435/911
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a method for producing beta-carotene using negative (minus mating type) Mucorales fungal microorganisms. The method includes mutating and selecting negative Mucorales fungal microorganisms, culturing the selected negative microorganisms in an effective medium to produce beta-carotene, and recovering beta-carotene therefrom. The present invention provides negative microorganisms that overproduce beta-carotene, beta-carotene formulations produced by the disclosed method, and the use of such formulations to enhance pigmentation, to reduce damage caused by reactive oxygen species or phototoxic molecules, to prevent or treat cancer or cardiovascular disease, to provide a Vitamin A supplement, to enhance lactation, and to increase fertility.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.