Effect of Light and Other Environmental Factors on Growth and Carotenogenesis of Corynebacterium Species Strain 7E1C

• Main Author: Howard, Marta E.
• Other Authors: Kester, Andrew S.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: North Texas State University 1974
• Subjects: pigment synthesis; carotenoids; Carotenoids.; Corynebacterium species strain 7E1C.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc663723/

This investigation studies effects of environmental factors on growth and carotenogenesis in Corynebacterium strain 7ElC. Changes in pH were found to effect growth more than carotenogenesis. However, certain nutrients or long incubation periods stimulated carotenoid formation more than growth. Dark conditions in a mineral salts-glucose medium stimulated growth, but minimized carotenogenesis. Tryptic soy broth or yeast extract elicited carotenogenesis in darkness. Although brief light exposure during inoculation was photoinductive, continuous exposure to light following inoculation was required for maximum pigment synthesis. Dark grown stationary phase cells required 24-hours of light for maximum pigment synthesis. Chloramphenicol inhibition of carotenogenesis in dark grown cells exposed to light showed that enzymes needed for carotenoid synthesis were absent from dark grown cultures.