Abstract: The present invention provides engineered cells and methods for utilizing same. Methods of enhanced carotenoid synthesis utilizing cells genetically disrupted for a yjiD, hnr or yjfP gene, or further disrupted for a gdhA, gpmB, aceE, ppc, talB or fdhF gene, or any combination thereof, or cells inhibited for their expression, activity or function are disclosed. Additionally, methods of enhanced carotenoid synthesis utilizing cells genetically disrupted for gdhA, aceE, fdhF, yjiD, hnr or yjfP gene expression or any combination thereof and ackA, appY, aspC, clp, clpP, clpXP, crcB, csdA, cyaA, evgS, fdhA, fdhD, feoB, funA, glnE, glxR, gntK, hycI, lipB, lysU, modA, moeA, nadA, nuoC, nuoK, pflB, pitA, pst, pstC, pta, p-yjiD, sohA, stpA, yagR, yaiD, ybaS, ycfZ, ydeN, yebB, yedN, yfcC, ygjP, yibD, yjfP, yjhH, or yliE gene expression, or a combination thereof or cells inhibited for their expression, activity or function are disclosed.

Abstract: An economical process for in vivo production of the pigment astaxanthin, and particularly a process for enhancing astaxanthin content of cultures of microorganisms of genus Phaffia, the process comprising culturing a microorganism of genus Phaffia in a nutrient medium containing an antibiotic, a cytochrome B inhibitor, or a terpenoid synthetic pathway inhibitor, cultivating surviving pigment enhanced microorganisms, and harvesting the yeast.

Abstract: The invention provides a biological method of producing isoprenoids.

Abstract: The present invention provides genetically manipulated cells and methods for utilizing same. Methods of enhanced carotenoid synthesis utilizing cells genetically disrupted for a yjiD, hnr or yjfP gene, or further disrupted for a gdhA, gpmB aceE, ppc, talB or fdhF gene, or any combination thereof, or cells inhibited for their expression, activity or function are disclosed. Methods of enhanced carotenoid synthesis utilizing cells genetically engineered to overexpress dxs, idi, yjiD, rpoS, torC, appY, ydgK, yeiA, yedR, tort, arcB, yggT, purDH, yfjN or a combination thereof, or further disrupted for the above-referenced genes are disclosed. Methods for identifying genes involved in optimized production of a carotenoid, and cells disrupted for, or inhibited for the expression, activity or function of genes thus identified are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Brevundimonas sp. strain SD212-derived peptide having ?-ionone ring-2-hydroxylase activity and a gene encoding the same, to thereby make it possible to produce rare carotenoids in which a hydroxyl group is introduced at the position 2(2?) carbon in their ?-ionone ring in large quantities. The present invention also provides a novel gene encoding an enzyme which introduces a hydroxyl group at the position 3(3?) carbon in the ?-ionone ring of carotenoids, and a novel gene encoding a geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biological process for producing carotenoids utilizing a microorganism which is capable of producing carotenoids and belonging to the genus Xanthophyllomyces (Phaffia) in the presence of an inhibitor for biosynthesis of sterols from farnesyl pyrophosphate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing an isoprenoid or an isoprenoid precursor in a genetically modified host cell. The methods generally involve modulating the level of hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) in the cell, such that the level of HMG-CoA is not toxic to the cell and/or does not substantially inhibit cell growth, but is maintained at a level that provides for high-level production of mevalonate, IPP, and other downstream products of an isoprenoid or isoprenoid pathway, e.g., polyprenyl diphosphates and isoprenoid compounds. The present invention further provides genetically modified host cells that are suitable for use in a subject method. The present invention further provides recombinant nucleic acid constructs for use in generating a subject genetically modified host cell, including recombinant nucleic acid constructs comprising nucleotide sequences encoding one or more mevalonate pathway enzymes, and recombinant vectors (e.g., recombinant expression vectors) comprising same.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for a robust production of isoprenoids via one or more biosynthetic pathways. The invention also provides nucleic acids, enzymes, expression vectors, and genetically modified host cells for carrying out the subject methods. The invention also provides fermentation methods for high productivity of isoprenoids from genetically modified host cells.

Abstract: Use of a plastid-lipid associated protein promoter (PAP promoter) for heterologous expression of genes in plants of the genus Tagetes.

Abstract: Two sequences of a nucleic acid isolated from a cDNA library of the flowering plant Adonis aestivalis is disclosed (SEQ ID NO: 5). The first DNA sequence, referred to as AdKC28, encodes for a polypeptide (SEQ ID NO: 6) that acts in conjunction with polypeptides encoded by either one of two other closely-related Adonis aestivalis cDNAs, AdKeto1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and AdKeto2 (SEQ ID NO: 2), to convert ?-carotene (?,?-carotene) into astaxanthin (3,3?-dihydroxy-4,4?-diketo-?, ?-carotene). A second DNA sequence, referred to as AdKCl 7 is also disclosed (FIG. 9). Together, these Adonis aestivalis cDNAs, when operably linked to promoters appropriate to the transgenic host, enable the production of astaxanthin and other carotenoids with 3-hydroxy-4-keto-?-rings in a variety of host cells and organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing optically active (4S)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one derivatives of the formula (I) and a method for preparing (3S,3?S)-astaxanthin of the formula (III) comprising the first-mentioned method.

Abstract: According to the invention, Applicants have demonstrated methods for improving industrial biosynthesis of lipid soluble vitamins and nutrients. Applicants have also provided methods for cost-efficient and commercially-viable chemotherapeutic biosynthesis and purification. This invention provides novel methods for both solid mutagenesis and semi-solid fluid mutagenesis fermentation and the purification of lipid soluble vitamins and nutrients and increasing fermentation solid yields.

Abstract: An improved E. coli for carotenoid production comprising exogenous nucleic acids for expressing a carotenoid that the E. coli requires as necessary condition for the E. coli to reproduce. Some E. coli embodiments have diminished or abrogated expression of a gene in the group consisting of ldhA, frdA, poxB, pta, adhE, pykF, zwf, and maeB.

Abstract: Methods for the production of new Adonis palaestina plants and plant populations with improved characteristics such as increased flower size, astaxanthin content, and/or reduced cardenolide content are provided. Also provided are an astaxanthin-containing Adonis oleoresin and methods of extracting astaxanthin and other ketocarotenoids from flowers of Adonis palaestina plants, while reducing non-ketocarotenoids and cardenolides.

Abstract: A microorganism is provided which allows carotenoid production in industrial production scale. A method of preparing a carotenoid includes: culturing a cell transformed with a DNA chain having a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of the following (a) to (f) or a cell transformed with a vector having a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of the following (a) to (f) in an appropriate culture condition, and isolating carotenoid from the cell or a culture medium: (a) DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide having such an enzymatic activity of Paracoccus sp. Strain MBIC1143 that converts a methylene group at 4 position in ?-ionone ring into a keto group (crtW), described in SEQ ID NO: 2, or a substantially homologous DNA sequence thereof; (b) DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide having such an enzymatic activity of Paracoccus sp.

Abstract: To provide a microorganism capable of producing a large amount of carotenoids, mainly astaxanthin, and to provide a method of producing carotenoids using the microorganism, a microorganism having improved carotenoid productivity is used, which is obtainable by breeding a carotenoid producing Paracoccus bacteria which is featured by producing 720 mg or more carotenoid per 1 L of culture medium. Also used is a method of producing carotenoids using the bacterium.

Abstract: Long-chain esters of retinol are prepared via a chemoenzymatic process from short-chain retinyl esters and an appropriate long-chain acid or ester in the presence of an enzyme. Use of various additives enhance the yield of the desired ester and facilitated its purification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a xanthophyll from a photosynthetic microalga, which includes inoculating a photosynthetic microalga containing a xanthophyll, preferably an encysted microalga, into a nutrient medium to grow the microalga; and encysting the grown microalga, by a single-step culture method in which the growth step and the encystment step are performed continuously using a nutrient medium having a low nitrogen source concentration, or by a two-step culture method in which the microalga is grown in a nutrient medium having a high nitrogen source concentration and then transferred to an encystment medium.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a Bacillus the spores and vegetative cells forms of which are a different colour because of differential presence of at least one carotenoid in the spore and vegetative cell forms of the Bacillus. The Bacillus may therefore be used in detection methods and biosensors. The Bacillus may also be used a colourant and a dye and in the generation of foods, food supplements, probiotic compositions, dyes, cosmetic, pharmaceuticals and vaccines. The Bacillus may also be used for the production of carotenoids, precursors thereof and downstream derivatives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of at least one microbial metabolite having at least 3 carbon atoms or at least 2 carbon atoms and at least 1 nitrogen atom by means of sugar-based microbial fermentation, comprising: a) the preparation of a sugar-containing liquid medium with a monosaccharide content of more than 20% by weight from a starch feedstock, the sugar-containing liquid medium also comprising non-starchy solid constituents of the starch feedstock; b) the fermentation of the sugar-containing liquid medium for the production of the metabolite(s); and c) depletion or isolation of at least one metabolite from the fermentation liquor, wherein a microorganism strain which produces the desired metabolite(s) is cultivated with the sugar-containing liquid medium, said liquid medium being obtained by: a1) milling the starch feedstock; and a2) liquefying the millbase in an aqueous liquid in the presence of at least one starch-liquefying enzyme, followed by saccharification using at lea

Abstract: A method of producing a retinyl ester compound comprising subjecting a composition comprising retinyl or a retinyl ester and a fat or oil of animal or vegetable origins to enzyme catalysed trans-esterification in solvent free conditions to produce a retinyl ester.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel microalga species and to the use thereof for animal and/or human consumption and in the production of carotenoids. A novel strain of Scenedesmus has been isolated at the Las Palmerillas experimental station, Cajamar, identified as microorganisms that had not been previously registered by the University of Gottinghem and deposited within the Culture Collection of Alagae and Protozoa (CCAP) as Scenedesmus almeriensis. The novel strain, which can be used for animal and/or human consumption, produces large quantities of carotenoids, particularly lutein and beta-carotene. Scenedesmus almeriensis grows adequately in a wide range of temperatures from 10° C. to 40° C. at a pH of between 7 and 9.5 and can tolerate high concentrations of copper, up to 1 mg/L. The microalgal strain is grown in a 4000 L photobioreactor, into which the culture is inserted mechanically, and produces less than 4 mg of lutein per gram of dry material.

Abstract: Novel lycopene beta-monocyclase genes were identified and used to transform a host cell to produce ?-cryptoxanthin. The host cell produces lycopene and is transformed to express the novel lycopene ?-monocyclase that converts lycopene into ?-carotene. The host cell is further transformed to express a lycopene hydroxylase that hydroxylates ?-carotene to 3-hydroxy-?-carotene and a lycopene ?-bicyclase that converts 3-hydroxy-?-carotene to ?-cryptoxanthin. The host cell is grown under conditions whereby ?-carotene is produced which is hydroxylated to 3-hydroxy-?-carotene and which is converted into ?-cryptoxanthin.

Abstract: A method to increase carotenoid production in carotenogenic microbial host cells is provided by down-regulating or disrupting glycogen synthesis. Disruption of glycogen synthase activity in a carotenogenic microbial host cell significantly increased carotenoid production. Carotenogenic microorganisms are also provided that have been optimized for the production of carotenoid compounds through the down-regulation and/or disruption of glycogen synthase activity.

Abstract: A process for the fermentative production of at least one organic compound having at least 3 C atoms or having at least 2 C atoms and at least one 1 N atom, comprising the following steps: a1) milling a starch feedstock, thus obtaining a millbase which comprises at least part of the nonstarchy solid constituents of the starch feedstock; a2) suspending the millbase in an aqueous liquid and hydrolysis of the starch portion in the millbase by enzymatic liquefaction and, if appropriate, subsequent saccharification, whereby a first liquid (1) which comprises mono- or oligosaccharides is obtained; and b) addition of the liquid (1) which comprises mono- or oligosaccharides together with metabolizable mono-, di- or oligosaccharides or together with a composition which comprises metabolizable mono-, di- or oligosaccharide in a concentration of at least 50% by weight and which is essentially free from solids which are insoluble in water to a fermentation medium comprising a microorganism which is capable of overproduc

Abstract: A method of producing a retinyl ester compound comprising subjecting a composition comprising retinyl or a retinyl ester and a fat or oil of animal or vegetable origins to enzyme catalysed trans-esterification in solvent free conditions to produce a retinyl ester.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of carotenoids and in particular the xanthophyll zeaxanthin (zeaxanthin-?,?-Carotene-3,3?-diol) and optionally other carotenoids such as lycopene, ?,?-carotene, 3?-hydroxyechinenone ?-cryptoxanthin and the colourless carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene from a marine bacterium belonging to the genus Algibacter which is capable of producing the aforementioned compounds. The present invention also provides a strain of Algibacter which is capable of producing significant levels of carotenoids, especially zeaxanthin at high purity, as well as methods of using the Algibacter strain and uses of the carotenoids produced.

Abstract: A green algal extract that contains astaxanthin at a concentration of 8 wt % or more can be obtained by cultivating an encysted green alga in a nutrient medium while supplying carbon dioxide and providing irradiation with light at a photosynthetically active photon flux input of 8000 ?mol-photon/m3/s or more, and extracting an oil component, which contains astaxanthin. A green alga that belongs to the genus Haematococcus is preferable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fermentation method of astaxanthin using Phaffia rhodozyma comprising the steps of: (a) in the growing phase, feeding of a nutrient medium containing glucose or sucrose based on the specific growth rate (?) of Phaffia rhodozyma cells, and (b) in the astaxanthin production phase, feeding of the nutrient medium based on the astaxanthin production rate, while keeping the glucose concentration in the fermentation broth almost 0 g/L during the whole fermentation period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for increasing the efficiency of targeted integration of a polynucleotide to a pre-determined site into the genome of a filamentous fungal cell with a preference for NHR, wherein said polynucleotide has a region of homology with said pre-determined site, comprising steering an integration pathway towards HR. The present invention also relates to a mutant filamentous fungus originating from a parent cell, said mutant having an HR pathway with elevated efficiency and/or an NHR pathway with a lowered efficiency and/or a NHR/HR ratio with decreased efficiency as compared to said HR and/or NHR efficiency and/or NHR/HR ratio of said parent cell under the same conditions.

Abstract: CrtW carotenoid ketolases are provided useful for the production of astaxanthin. The ketolases genes of the present invention exhibit improved ketolase activity when converting cyclic hydroxylated carotenoid intermediates into astaxanthin. Recombinant expression of the present carotenoid ketolases in host cell producing cyclic hydroxylated carotenoid intermediates enabled increased production of astaxanthin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preparing specimens for a cryo-electron microscope, comprising an environmental chamber, a holder for a sample or a carrier, and at least one blotting element to which a medium for absorbing liquid is or can be attached, both disposed in the environmental chamber, and a cooling medium for cooling down said sample. The said blotting element can be moved towards the sample or carrier in a controlled manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for synthesizing non-photosynthetic carotenoids using photosynthetic bacteria while producing at least one photosynthetic carotenoid of which one of the synthesis intermediates is lycopene. The inventive method is characterized in that it comprises a number of steps: the deletion and insertion of specific genes; the culturing of bacteria, and; the extraction of carotenoids. The invention also concerns the bacteria or mutants used in the aforementioned method.

Abstract: CrtW carotenoid ketolases are provided that are useful for the production of astaxanthin and other cyclic ketocarotenoids. The mutant ketolase genes of the present invention encode polypeptides characterized by an improvement in astaxanthin synthesis activity when converting cyclic hydroxylated carotenoid intermediates into astaxanthin. Expression of the mutant carotenoid ketolases in heterologous hosts enabled increased production of astaxanthin relative to the Sphingomonas melonis DC18 CrtW.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing isoprenoid compounds or proteins encoded by DNA using DNA that contains one or more of the DNA encoding proteins having activity to improve efficiency in the biosynthesis of isoprenoid compounds effective in pharmaceuticals for cardiac diseases, osteoporosis, homeostasis, prevention of cancer, and immunopotentiation, health food and anti-fouling paint products against barnacles; the DNA; the protein; and a method for screening a substance with antibiotic and weeding activities comprising screening a substance inhibiting enzymatic reaction on the non-mevalonate pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of astaxanthin-containing plants or parts of plants of the genus Tagetes or astaxanthin-containing extracts of astaxanthin-containing plants or parts of plants of the genus Tagetes for oral administration to animals, methods for producing animal feed preparations, the animal feed preparations themselves, a method for pigmenting animals or animal products, and also a method for producing pigmented animals and animal products.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing ?-cryptoxanthin from a microorganism transformed with the ?-carotene hydroxylase gene from Arabidopsis thaliana by culturing the transformant in a medium and recovering ?-cryptoxanthin from the resultant culture. Both bacteria and yeasts were successfully transformed. Surprisingly, ?-cryptoxanthin is the dominant carotenoid produced by the transformant and was not significantly converted into zeaxanthin.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a process for conveniently and efficiently producing large amounts of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin from a material which can be easily obtained. A microorganism Thraustochytrium sp. CHN-3 (FERM P-18556) capable of producing astaxanthin and canthaxanthin, which belongs to the genus Labyrinthula and the Thraustochytrium species, is cultured and thus astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are accumulated in the microbial cells. Then the cells are separated from the medium and astaxanthin and canthaxanthin are collected from the separated cells by extracting with a solvent.

Abstract: Long-chain esters of retinol are prepared via a chemoenzymatic process from short-chain retinyl esters and an appropriate long-chain acid or ester in the presence of an enzyme. Use of various additives enhance the yield of the desired ester and facilitated its purification.

Abstract: A carotenogenic biosynthetic gene cluster has been isolated from Panteoa stewartii strain DC413, wherein the genetic organization of the cluster is crtE-idi-crtX-crtY-crtI-crtB-crtZ. The genes contained within this cluster encode geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthetase (CrtE), isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase (Idi), zeaxanthin glucosyl transferase (CrtX), lycopene cyclase (CrtY), phytoene desaturase (CrtI), phytoene synthase (CrtB), and ?-carotene hydroxylase (CrtZ). The gene cluster, genes and their products are useful for the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to carotenoids. Vectors containing those DNA segments, host cells containing the vectors and methods for producing those enzymes by recombinant DNA technology in transformed host organisms are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene useful in a process to increase the microbial production of carotenoids. The carotenoids astaxanthin is distributed in a wide variety of organisms such as animals, algae and microorganisms. It has a strong antioxidation property against reactive oxygen species. Astaxanthin is used as a coloring reagent, especially in the industry of farmed fish, such as salmon, because astaxanthin imparts distinctive orange-red coloration to the animals and contributes to consumer appeal in the marketplace.

Abstract: Isolated gene cluster involved in canthaxanthin biosynthesis, which comprises a polynucleotide wherein: crtY, crtI, crtB and crtW genes are clustered in this order and in the same orientation, and, preceding the four cited genes, crtE gene is oriented in the opposite direction. Applications for producing natural carotenoids useful in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutritious compositions.

Abstract: The invention consists of fermenting selected strains of Blakeslea trispora in conditions such that ?-carotene is produced in the form of stabilized preparations with residual contents of other carotenoids (?-carotene and ?-zeacarotene). The fermentation conditions chosen include the programmed addition of oxygen and/or ?-ionone during fermentation, and control of the age of the vegetative growth phases of the strains employed. The ?-carotene obtained can be used in the pharmaceutical and food sectors.

Abstract: Mutations in genes having no direct relationship to the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway have been found to increase carbon flux through that pathway. Complete disruption in the deaD, mreC, and yfhE genes were effective. Additionally where genes of the lower carotenoid pathway reside on a plasmid having either a p15A or pMB1 replicon, mutations in the thrS, rspA, rpoC, yjeR, and rhoL were found effective.

Abstract: Methanotrophic bacterial strains are provided that have been optimized for the production of carotenoid compounds through the down-regulation of one or more of the crtN1, ald, crtN2 and crtN3 genes of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The resulting strains lack pigmented C30 carotenoid compounds, and show an increase in the production of C40 carotenoids. The use of the optimized host strains for the production of the C40 carotenoids canthaxanthin and astaxanthin is also described.

Abstract: Methods for improving the production of a secondary metabolite by a fungus by increasing the yield or productivity of the secondary metabolite produced by the fungus are described. The methods include increasing the expression of LYS14, for example, by transforming a cell with a nucleic acid molecule encoding LYS14.

Abstract: A method of producing a carotenoid in solid form includes culturing a strain of Chlorophyta algae cells in a minimal inorganic medium and separating the algae comprising a solid form of carotenoid. In one embodiment f the invention, the strain of Chlorophyta algae cells includes a strain f Chlamydomonas algae cells.

Abstract: A method of isolating, purifying and recrystallizing substantially pure lutein, preferably from saponified marigold oleoresin in its pure free form, apart from chemical impurities and other carotenoids. Lutein may be used as an analytical standard or in cancer prevention trials and as a safe and effective color additive for human food.

Abstract: A method of isolating, purifying and recrystallizing substantially pure lutein, preferably from saponified marigold oleoresin in its pure free form, apart from chemical impurities and other carotenoids. Lutein may be used as an analytical standard or in cancer prevention trials and as a safe and effective color additive for human food.

Abstract: A method of isolating, purifying and recrystallizing substantially pure lutein, preferably from saponified marigold oleoresin in its pure free form, apart from chemical impurities and other carotenoids. Lutein may be used as an analytical standard or in cancer prevention trials and as a safe and effective color additive for human food.