Isolation and molecular identification of carotenoid-producing bacteria

Abstract

The production of pigments from bacteria is significant due to the low cost, high yield and ease of extract compared with other sources. Carotenoids are one of the most important pigments with antioxidant properties which are the precursor of vitamin A synthesis and have antibody overproduction ability, anti-tumor activity and inhibitory effect on the cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to isolate and identify carotenoid-producing bacteria by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of their carotenoid pigments. Twenty soil samples were collected from different regions of Tehran. After serial dilution each sample was cultured on BHI agar medium and incubated at 37°C. The pigment-producing bacteria were selected for further identification and their pigments were extracted by