Patent · US Expired

Blakeslea trispora mated culture capable of increased beta-carotene production

US5422247A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
18References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 1993
Grant dateJun 6, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 19, 2013

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 a mated culture of Mucorales fungi. The method includes mutating and selecting negative (minus mating type) and positive (plus mating type) Mucorales fungal microorganisms, culturing the selected negative and positive microorganisms in an effective medium to form a mated culture that produces beta-carotene, and recovering beta-carotene therefrom. The present invention provides mated cultures that overproduce beta-carotene and is also directed to certain negative and positive microorganisms used to overproduce beta-carotene. The present invention also provides beta-carotene formulations produced by the claimed method, and the use of such formulations, for example, 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.