Production of carotenoids by Brevibacterium linens: variation among strains, kinetic aspects and HPLC profiles

This work describes carotenoid pigment production by the red bacterium Brev ibacterium linens covering strain diversity, kinetic and analytical aspects . Pigment production of 23 B. linens strains ranged from 0.05 to 0.60 mg pi gments L-1 culture, with specific productivity from 0.2 to 0.6 mg pigments per g dry biomass. The pigment production time curve showed a sigmoid shape , that matched cell growth. HPLC analysis revealed three groups of peaks, p ossibly non-hydroxylated, mono- and di-hydroxylated carotenoids. Polar mole cules were mainly represented.