Studies in carotenogenesis. 2. Carotene production by Phycomyces blakesleeanus: the effect of different amino-acids when used in media containing low concentrations of glucose

Abstract

The effect on the carotene production by P blakesleeanus of using various amino acids as the N source in media containing 1% (w/v) glucose was studied. L-valine and L-leucine whether used alone or in conjunction with glycine or L-aspargine stimulate carotenogenesis, in some cases as much as 4-fold. Glycine and L-aspargine either alone or together have no such effect. Transference of well formed mycelial mats to media containing 1% (w/v) glucose and various amino acid combinations also results in considerably increased carotene production only on those media containing either L-leucine or L-valine. The relative rate of lipogenesis is increased in young mycelia growing on media containing 1% (w/v) glucose and either L-leucine or L-valine. The total amt. of lipid synthesized is, however, not different from that produced on media containing other amino acids.