Substrate contribution on free radical scavenging capacity of carotenoid extracts produced from Blakeslea trispora cultures

Blakeslea trispora produces carotenoids mixtures consisting mainly of lycopene, gamma-carotene and beta-carotene, together with trace amounts of other carotenoid precursors. The yield of these carotenoids and their composition are greatly affected by culture substrate. The scavenging capacity of carotenoids extract from cultures of B. trispora growing in various substrates was estimated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method. Fractions enriched in beta-carotene, gamma-carotene and lycopene, obtained after column chromatography in alumina basic II, were also examined. Substrates containing starch and oils mixture, Ni2+, and that with pantothenic acid presented higher antioxidant activity. An increase in the antioxidant activity of the crude carotenoid extract compared to that of the isolated fractions enriched in beta-carotene, gamma-carotene and lycopene respectively, observed in most samples, indicated a possible synergistic effect. The results are of interest and by expanding this study to more substrates and other microorganisms- producing antioxidants, a formulation of extract with high free radical scavenging potential could be produced.