PRODUCTION OF CAROTENE STEREOISOMERS BY PHYCOMYCES-BLAKESLEEANUS

beta-Carotene stereoisomers, mainly all-trans and to a small extent 9-cis, may be produced by the fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus under normal fermentation conditions. The amount of the 9-cis-beta-carotene may comprise up to 15% of the total beta-carotene. Similarly, cis-lycopene or -phytoene stereoisomers may be obtained when the fungus is fermented in the presence of specific beta-carotene inhibitors such as nicotine or diphenylamine respectively. This is the first report on the occurrence of cis-stereoisomers of carotenes in mycelial fungi.