The effect of veratrole on carotenoid biosynthesis by Phycomyces blakesleeanus |
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Authors: | P Shlomai A Ben-Amotz P Margalith |
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Institution: | Department of Food Engineering and Biotechnology, Technion City;National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, Haifa, Israel |
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Abstract: | A number of chemical compounds are known to affect the biosynthetic pathways of β-carotene. Both site-specific inhibitors as well as general stimulators of carotenogenesis have been described. It has been reported that veratrole enhances β-carotene synthesis when applied to agar cultures of Phycomyces blakesleeanus but we found no significant stimulation of β-carotene production in submerged culture. Moreover, veratrole in high concentrations (> 0.1% w/v), unlike diphenylamine, inhibits the formation of phytoene, resulting in an almost total block of carotenoid biosynthesis. |
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