OBTAINING HIGH PRODUCTIVE STRAIN OF X. DENDRORHOUS BY 1-METHYL-3-NITRO-1-NITROSOGUANIDINE AND UV MUTAGENESIS

Abstract

Astaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid with remarkable antioxidant properties which is found in various microorganisms and marine animals. Its antioxidant capabilities stem from its unique molecular structure, which enables it to effectively neutralize harmful free radicals and reactive oxygen species in the body1. X. dendrorhous, a yeast species known for its natural astaxanthin production, serves as a promising candidate for biotechnological processes. To further harness its potential for astaxanthin yield even more promising than optimizing fermentation is to create random or targeted mutant strains that produce excessive amounts of astaxanthin. Random mutagenesis is one common way to optimize astaxanthin production, and it is known to increase astaxanthin yield by up to 6 times compared to X. dendrorhous wild type2. Various mutagenesis techniques have been employed to induce genetic modifications aimed at enhancing yield. Chemical mutagens such as ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and nitrosoguanidine (NTG) have been extensively used to introduce point mutations, while physical mutagens like UV irradiation and gamma radiation induce broader genetic alterations.