Abstract:
Objective An astaxanthin-producing fermentation by Phaffia rhodozyma using okara for nitrogen was optimized.
Methods On the conventional fermentation by P. rhodozyma to make astaxanthin, okara was used to replace the commonly applied peptone and yeast extract as the organic nitrogen source for cost reduction. Effects of carbon sources, precursor substances, other nitrogen supply, vitamins, and inorganic salts on yield of astaxanthin were analyzed with the amounts of (NH4)2SO4, vitamin E, glucose, and sucrose optimized by response surface methodology.
Results When okara was used as a raw ingredient for the fermentation, glucose became the optimal carbon source. The yield of astaxanthin by the P. rhodozyma fermentation could be significantly increased by applying both glucose and sucrose, potassium salts such as KCl, KNO3, and K2HPO4 as well as (NH4)2SO4, VB2, VE, and zeaxanthin. Hence, the medium was optimized by response surface method on the 4 key ingredients of glucose, sucrose, K2SO4, and VE to arrive at a formulation consisting of 10% okara, 0.22% K2SO4, 0.6% VE, 1.08% glucose, and 1.50% sucrose to reach a yield of astaxanthin at 32.46 mg·L−1, which was 2.23 folds higher than what obtained by using the YM medium.
Conclusion Okara could amply be used to replace peptone and yeast extract as the nitrogen source for the astaxanthin production by P. rhodozyma fermentation.