Fermentation kinetics of production of ubiquinone-10 by Paracoccus dinitrificans NRRL B-3785: Effect of type and concentration of carbon and nitrogen sources

Ubiquinone-10 (CoQ10), a vitamin-like lipophilic component of the membrane-bound electron transport system, has a wide range of therapeutic, neutraceutical, and cosmeceutical applications. The objective of this study was to optimize nutritional requirements for production of CoQ10 by Paracoccus dinitrificans NRRL B-3785 fermentation. Effect of type and concentration of carbon and nitrogen source on fermentation kinetic parameters were analyzed using logistic and Luedeking-Piret equations. In submerged batch fermentation, yield of CoQ10 was 12.22 mg/L when 40 g/L glycerol was used and specific growth rate (0.056/h) as well as growth associated constant (α=0.680 mg/g) were higher as compared to other concentrations. Ammonium nitrate and proteose peptone at 5 (α=0.677 mg/g; β= 0.0072 mg/gㆍh) and 20 g/L (α=0.806 mg/g; β=0.0074 mg/gㆍh), respectively, were optimal for CoQ10 production. CoQ10 formation observed to be both growth and nongrowth associated. In optimized medium CoQ10 formation increased considerably from 1.91 to 14.12 mg/L.