Phytoene accumulation in the food grade fungus Blakeslea trsipora by interfering pathways of β-carotene and ergosterol synthesis

Natural carotenoids are compounds of great interest due to their health-promoting actions. The colourless, UV radiation-absorbing phytoene, although largely neglected in the past, is attracting much attention recently [1]. In vitro plant tissue cultures, algae and microorganisms are efficient biotechnological tools to obtain phytoene [2]. The fungus Blakeslea trispora takes a prominent place among microbial producers of β-carotene as the exclusive product of the carotenoid pathway. In contrast to lycopene synthesis [3], little attention has been devoted to studies of phytoene accumulation in the fungal cells. As a gateway in the pathway, phytoene may be retained by inhibiting the metabolic flux.

The present study investigated the carotenoid pattern in B. trispora mated culture (ATCC14 271, 14 272) treated with multi-target inhibitors interfering with the β-carotene and ergosterol pathways that share common precursors, via phytoene desaturase, lycopene cyclase and squalene epoxidase inhibition. More specifically, our work presents the impact of the addition of the extrernal regulators, diphenylamine, 2-methyl imidazole, and terbinafine, and the fermentation time in stimulating phytoene accumulation.

A C30 RP-HPLC-DAD analysis method was applied for the quantitative analysis of phytoene, lycopene and β-carotene. Results showed that the type and level of inhibitor affected both qualitatively and quantitively the profile of the above carotenoids. Lycopene was the predominant one in 2-methyl imidazole treated cells. The level of phytoene exhibited fluctuations, but in all cases its concentration was comparable or even higher than in tomato products. The prospective of phytoene production by B. trispora should be considered a promising area of research.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 December 2022

• References

• 1 Meléndez-Martínez AJ, Mapelli-Brahm P. The undercover colorless carotenoids phytoene and phytofluene: Importance in agro-food and health in the Green Deal era and possibilities for innovation. Trends Food Sci Technol 2021; 116: 255-263
• 2 Miras-Moreno B, Pedreño MÁ, Romero LA. Bioactivity and bioavailability of phytoene and strategies to improve its production. Phytochem Rev 2019; 18: 359-376
• 3 Pegklidou K, Mantzouridou F, Tsimidou MZ. Lycopene Production Using Blakeslea trispora in the Presence of 2-Methyl Imidazole: Yield, Selectivity, and Safety Aspects. J Agric Food Chem 2008; 56: 4482-4490