Biosynthesis of carotenoids in Flavobacterium dehydrogenans Arnaudi

The nonphotosynthetic, gram-positive bacterium, Flavobacterium dehydrogenans, requires continuous light and aerobic cultural conditions to produce its unique carotenoids. Biosynthetic reactions leading to a phytoene-like compound are controlled by light and terminal carotenoid biosynthesis by exogenous metabolites and aeration. Cultures grown in synthetic media contain essentially one carotenoid, designated dehydrogenans-P439. The compound has been partially characterized. With less favorable cultural conditions a series of carotenoids form, some of which are precursors to the principal carotenoid while other of the compounds characterize an alternate biosynthetic pathway.