Process and Product

The process involves the culturing of coryneform-type bacteria in a proliferation medium and then in a production medium. The purification of hydrosoluble carotenes uses ultrafiltration techniques followed by concentration. Partial characterization of the pigment has been accomplished. This pigment is heat - and light- stable and gives a range of colour shades from yellow to orange depending on the concentration.

Markets

Carotene glycosides offer huge commercial potential because of their physico-chemical characteristics, their natural origins and their significant potential for use as a hydrosoluble yellow colour, which can compete favorably with the controversial artificial colour, tartrazine.

The process has been developed at the laboratory scale.

Technology Transfer Opportunities

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) hopes to establish an effective collaboration with an industry partner in Canada to conduct pilot scale-up tests in fermenters of at least 150L capacity and to advance the project to pre-industrial testing. AAFC will provide the industry partner with all the scientific and technical assistance required during the process development phases.