Isolation of Streptomyces globisporus and Blakeslea trispora mutants with increased carotenoid content.

Hyperpigmented mutants of Streptomyces globisporus 1912-Hp7 and Blakeslea trispora 18(+), 184(-) were isolated by action of hydrogen peroxide and nitrosoguanidine, correspondingly, from initial strains S. globisporus 1912-4Lcp and B. trispora 72(-), 198(+). The carotenoids of dry biomass of obtained strains, rubbed thoroughly with glass powder by a pestle in porcelain mortar were extracted by acetone and purified by TLC. Identification of the individual carotenoids was performed by means of HPLC and LC/MS spectrometry. It was shown that strain S. globisporus 1912-4Crt produced beta-carotene/lycopene (6.91/3.24 mg/L), mutants 1912-4Lcp and 1912-7Hp synthesized only lycopene (26.05 and 50.9 mg/L, respectively), and strains B. trispora 18(+) and 184(-)-beta-carotene (6.2% in dry biomass or more 2.5 g/L) without illumination in shake flasks. It is the first example of high constitutive production of the carotenoids by the representative of genus Streptomyces without photoinduction or increased synthesis of sigma factor The improved strains of B. trispora 18(+) and 184(-) can be used for biotechnological production of beta-carotene in industrial conditions.