Abstract: A culture for the production of xanthophylls comprising Nospongiococcum excentricum ATCC 40335 and mutants thereof. The culture having a dry cell weight xanthophyll content of at least about 0.65% and being capable of growing to a cell density of greater than about 40 grams per liter. The culture also comprising: carbon, phosphate, sulfate, iron, magnesium, and nitrogen.

Abstract: Mutations are induced in a microorganism selected from the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from the species Candida flareri. The resulting mutants are cultured in the presence of a fermentation inhibitor, such as acetaldehyde, ephedrine or PAC-dione, to form colonies having resistance to the inhibitor. Cells from the colonies are isolated and tested for yield of phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC) in a fermentation with benzaldehyde and pyruvate. Yeast cells from the colonies that produce elevated levels of PAC are selected for use in subsequent fermentations. PAC is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of l-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine, two well-known medicinal chemicals.

Abstract: Strains of yeast of the species Candida famata are disclosed which can produce 10 grams of riboflavin per liter in 6 days, and in particular, strains identified by ATCC Accession Nos. 20849 and 20850. Riboflavin yields of more than 20 grams per liter in 200 hours have been achieved. Strains of the present invention have increased sensitivity to iron inhibition of flavinogenesis and have enhanced riboflavin production per cell at increased iron concentrations in the fermentation medium. The invention also is directed toward a process for selecting improved microorganisms which are resistant to inhibition of growth by depleted medium. Such selected mircoorganisms are then tested for riboflavin overproduction. The present invention is also directed toward a selection process in which mutated microorganisms are cultured in the presence of tubercidin, a purine analog. Mutant strains resistant to tubercidin are then tested for riboflavin over-production.

Abstract: Strains of yeast of the species Candida famata are disclosed which can produce 10 grams of riboflavin per liter in 6 days, and in particular, strains identified by ATCC Accession Nos. 20849 and 20850. Riboflavin yields of more than 20 grams per liter in 200 hours have been achieved. Strains of the present invention have increased sensitivity to iron inhibition of flavinogenesis and have enhanced riboflavin production per cell at increased iron concentrations in the fermentation medium.

Abstract: Mutations are induced in a microorganism selected from the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae or from the species Candia flareri. The resulting mutants are cultured in the presence of a fermentation inhibitor, such as acetaldehyde, ephedrine or PAC-dione, to form colonies having resistance to the inhibitor. Cells from the colonies are isolated and tested for yield of phenyl acetyl carbinol (PAC) in a fermentation with benzaldehyde and pyruvate. Yeast cells from the colonies that produce elevated levels of PAC are selected for use in subsequent fermentations. PAC is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of 1-ephedrine and d-pseudoephedrine, two well-known medicinal chemicals.

Abstract: Method for transforming anaerobic microorganisms. Anaerobic microorganisms are induced to form L-forms. Genetic material capable of inducing the desired phenotype is introduced into the L-forms, after which the L-forms may be caused to regenerate their cell wall. These methods are also useful for obtaining desired biological products. Additionally, shuttle vectors capable of transforming both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms are set forth.