Metabolic Engineering for Production of UV Protective Compounds and Carotenoids from a Hot Spring Cyanophyte Synechocystis Pevalekii

Pranita Tendulkar, Manjushri Deodhar

Abstract: The methanolic extract of hot spring isolate S. pevalekii is rich in carotenoid zeaxanthin and exhibits high absorbance in UV A region and shows 5 star rating when incorporated in gel formulation. The objective of present study was to optimise production of UV protective carotenoids in S. pevalekii. It is a known fact that the carotenoid production is enhanced at nutrient deprived condition. Hence various physicochemical parameters like inoculums size, Nitrates and Sulphates were optimised for highest biomass production as well as for production of UV protective carotenoids.

Keywords: Thermotolerant, Carotenoids, Optimization, Sunscreen