Method for producing astaxanthin through mixed culture of Paracoccus haeundaensis and lactic acid bacteria

Technology for Increasing Natural Astaxanthin Production via Mixed Culture of Paracoccus and Lactic Acid Bacteria

This technology increases the production of natural astaxanthin by co-culturing Paracoccus microorganisms, such as Paracoccus haeundaensis, with Lactobacillus. It provides a production process encompassing strain identification, specialized medium formulation, mixed culture, and pigment extraction.

Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant pigment with growing demand in feed, food, and cosmetic industries. However, natural astaxanthin has historically been expensive due to low production yields, as single-strain cultivation methods have struggled to achieve stable, high-volume output.

By leveraging the synergistic effects of co-culturing these two microorganisms, this technology increases astaxanthin yields by two to four times compared to monoculture. It can be applied to produce coloring agents for aquaculture and poultry feed, as well as antioxidant health supplements, enabling a more cost-effective supply of natural astaxanthin.

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Key Features:

• Identifying Paracoccus and lactic acid bacteria using 16S rRNA gene analysis
• Preparing an astaxanthin production medium by adding sugar-based carbon and nitrogen sources to a base of tryptone, yeast extract, and sodium chloride
• Inoculating and culturing a 1:1 mixture of selected Paracoccus species, such as Paracoccus haeundaensis, and Lactobacillus in the medium
• Harvesting the biomass from the mixed culture and extracting astaxanthin by disrupting cells with acetone

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for the development of products that enhance the physiological activity and body color of aquaculture organisms using indigenous Korean pigment-producing marine microorganisms.

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