Neurosporene is the major carotenoid accumulated by Rhodobacter viridis JA737

Abstract

The carotenoid, neurosporene, is of commercial importance due to its use as an antioxidant and UV-B radiation protector. It is usually obtained from fruits and vegetables. Although some bacterial mutants can accumulate neurosporene, these are unstable. A recently-isolated, natural and stable neurosporene accumulating, phototrophic purple non-sulfur bacterium Rhodobacter viridis JA737 is described that accumulates neurosporene as the major (98 %) carotenoid up to ~7 mg g dry cell-1 and at 7.3 mg l-1. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.