Process for production of carotenoids, xanthophylls and apo-carotenoids utilizing eukaryotic microorganisms

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for producing an effective amount of one or more carotenoid, xanthophyll, or apo-carotenoid pigments from a microorganism from the Order Thraustochytriales . Suitable microorganisms put forth are of the genus Thraustochytrium and Schizochytrium . Preferred culture conditions and mediums are discussed. Examples are given of production of specific pigments, such as β-carotene, lutein, adonirubin, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin, as are examples of methods of isolation of the pigment from the microorganism. Also disclosed is a food product that contains a microorganism from the Order Thraustochytriales , the microorganism having produced internally an effective amount of one or more carotenoid, xanthophyll, or apo-carotenoid pigments. The food product is used in a method for delivering one or more of the pigments to an animal or human for either pharmaceutical, nutritional or coloration purposes, by feeding the food product to the animal or human.

1 - 2 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         3 . The method of claim  1  wherein the microorganism of step a) is of the genus  Schizochytrium:    
     
     
         4 - 20 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         21 . A food product, comprising: 
 a) a microorganism from the Order  Thraustochytriales,  the microorganism having produced internally an effective amount of one or more carotenoid or xanthophyll pigments; and    b) food material.    
     
     
         22 . The food product of  claim 21  wherein the microorganism is of the genus  Thraustochytrium.    
     
     
         23 . The food product of  claim 21  wherein the microorganism is of the genus  Schizochytrium.    
     
     
         24 . The food product of  claim 21  wherein the carotenoid is a carotene.  
     
     
         25 . The food product of  claim 24  wherein the carotene is β-carotene.  
     
     
         26 . The food product of  claim 24  wherein the carotene is lutein.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the xanthophyll is selected from the group consisting of adonirubin, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin.  
     
     
         28 . A method for delivering one or more carotenoid or xanthophyll pigments, to an animal or human, comprising: 
 a) providing a food product, comprising: 
 i) a microorganism from the Order  Thraustochytriales,  the microorganism having produced internally an effective amount of one or more carotenoid or xanthophyll pigments; and  
 ii) food material; and  
   b) feeding the food product to the animal or human.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the microorganism of step a)i) is of the genus  Thraustochytrium.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the microorganism of step a)i) is of the genus  Schizochytrium.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the carotenoid is a carotene.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the carotene is β-carotene.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein the carotene is lutein.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the xanthophyll is selected from the group consisting of adonirubin, canthaxanthin, and astaxanthin.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the animal is routinely raised or harvested for human consumption.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the animal is selected from the group consisting of chicken, duck, turkey, and goose.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the animal is a marine animal routinely harvested as seafood.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37  wherein the marine animal is selected from the group consisting of fish, shrimp, and shellfish, and crustaceans.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the animal is a pig.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the animal is routinely raised or harvested as food for another animal routinely raised or harvested for human consumption.  
     
     
         41 . A method for producing one or more apo-carotenoid pigments, comprising: 
 a) providing a microorganism from the Order  Thraustochytriales  capable of producing an effective amount of the apo-carotenoid pigment;    b) culturing the microorganism of step a) under conditions of heterotrophic growth appropriate for effective production of the apo-carotenoid pigment; and    c) isolating the apo-carotenoid pigment from the cultured microorganism of step b).    
     
     
         42 . A food product comprising: 
 a) a microorganism from the Order  Thraustochytriales,  the microorganism having produced internally an effective amount of one or more apo-carotenoid pigments; and    b) food material.    
     
     
         43 . A method of delivering one or more apo-carotenoid pigments to an animal or human, comprising: 
 a) providing a food product comprising: 
 i) a microorganism from the Order  Thraustochytriales,  the microorganism having produced internally an effective amount of one or more apo-carotenoid pigments; and  
 ii) food material; and  
   b) feeding the food product to the animal or human.