Cleavage of β, β-carotene to flavor compounds by fungi

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 62; no. 4; pp. 331 - 336
• Main Authors: ZORN, H, LANGHOFF, S, SCHEIBNER, M, BERGER, R. G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.09.2003
• Subjects: Agar; Analysis; Basidiomycota - enzymology; beta Carotene - metabolism; Bioconversions. Hemisynthesis; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Culture Media; Enzymatic analysis; Flavoring Agents - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fungi; Fungi - classification; Fungi - enzymology; Fungi - growth & development; Fungi - metabolism; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Norisoprenoids - metabolism; Observations; Oxidation-Reduction; Scission (Chemistry); Volatilization; Germany; Volatile compound; Fungi; Biotransformation; Cleavage; Betacarotene; Carotenoid; Flavor; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-003-1309-4

More than 50 filamentous fungi and yeasts, known for de novo synthesis or biotransformation of mono-, sesqui-, tri-, or tetraterpenes, were screened for their ability to cleave beta,beta-carotene to flavor compounds. Ten strains discolored a beta,beta-carotene-containing growth agar, indicating efficient degradation of beta,beta-carotene. Dihydroactinidiolide was formed as the sole conversion product of beta,beta-carotene in submerged cultures of Ganoderma applanatum, Hypomyces odoratus, Kuehneromyces mutabilis, and Trametes suaveolens. When mycelium-free culture supernatants from five species were applied for the conversions, nearly complete degradation of beta,beta-carotene was observed after 12 h. Carotenoid-derived volatile products were detected in the media of Ischnoderma benzoinum, Marasmius scorodonius, and Trametes versicolor. beta-Ionone proved to be the main metabolite in each case, whereas beta-cyclocitral, dihydroactinidiolide, and 2-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexanone were formed in minor quantities. Using a photometric bleaching test, the beta,beta-carotene cleaving enzyme activities of M. scorodonius were partially characterized.