Biosynthese von Carotinoiden bei Chlorella

Abstract

One of the recently described mutant strains of dilorella (strain 5/520) accumulates higher saturated polyenes in the dark but forms wild type carotenoids when irradiated. Normal carotenes are synthesized anaerobically in light. For xanthophyll synthesis light and O2 are indispensible 1, 2, 3. The experiments described below indicate that 1. the dark grown mutant 5/520 is able to form α- and β-carotene (and carotene X)3 in light and N2 as long as 48 hours. After that time damage of the algae is indicated. 2. The changes in pigment content observed in light and N2 are essentially the effect of light. In darkness and N2 there is but a small decrease of the polyenes accumulated during previous cultivation in the dark. 3. Evidence seems strong that xanthophyll synthesis in light is not depending upon photosynthesis.