Stimulation of β-carotene synthesis by hydrogen peroxide in Blakeslea trispora

Abstract

β-Carotene synthesis was increased from a negligible amount to 152 mg (g-dry cells)-1 and H2O2 was accumulated up to 16.7 μM during 2.5 day-culture of Blakeslea trispora. When cells were cultivated in 250 ml flasks containing various volumes (25-150 ml) of the medium, not only H2O2 accumulation but also β-carotene synthesis increased as culture volume decreased. Addition of H2O2 (10 μM) to the 1.5-day old cultures of B. trispora resulted in 46% higher β-carotene synthesis than that without addition. All these results indicate that β-carotene biosynthesis is stimulated by H2O2 in B. trispora.