Patent ID: 6413736
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: A23K,A23L,C12N,C12P,C12R

Abstract:
A fermentation method for the production of astaxanthin from a strain of Phaffis rhodozyma, the method comprising cultivating cells of the strain under suitable conditions in a nutrient medium containing a rapidly metabolized energy source that is maintained over at least part of the cultivation at a level such that the strain experiences (i) a growth phase during which its cells increase rapidly in number and produce astaxanthin, and during which the energy source is fed to the strain at a rate such that it does not accumulate in the medium in excess of a predetermined level, followed by (ii) a maturation phase, during which the increase in cell number slows but the astaxanthin production continues at a rate at least as great as the rate during the growth phase, in which said maturation phase is extended by exposing the strain to a light source, wherein the light source provides light to the strain at a level more than 15 watts per kiloliter of fermentation broth, but less than about 100 watts per kiloliter of fermentation broth, and wherein the strain is exposed to the light source from the start of the maturation phase until the termination of the fermentation.