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. 1968 Feb;95(2):426–432. doi: 10.1128/jb.95.2.426-432.1968

Separation of β-Factor Synthesis from Stimulated β-Carotene Synthesis in Mated Cultures of Blakeslea trispora

Richard P Sutter a,1, Max E Rafelson Jr b,2
PMCID: PMC252035  PMID: 5640380

Abstract

Mated cultures of Blakeslea trispora, grown in a potato extract-glucose-thiamine medium, produced 10 to 15 times more β-carotene than either unmated culture. Mated, but not unmated, cultures produced a family of compounds (β factor) which stimulated carotenogenesis in unmated cultures. In fact, carotenogenesis was stimulated sixfold more in minus cultures than in plus cultures. By altering the relative amounts of plus and minus inocula used in fermentations of mated cultures, it was possible to separate the synthesis of β factor from the synthesis of extra β-carotene. The plus strain appeared to produce the β factor; the minus strain appeared to produce most of the extra β-carotene. Kinetic studies of β-factor formation suggested that physical contact between the two strains may be required to initiate β-factor synthesis.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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