Non-naturally occurring microorganisms are provided that produce C40 carotenoid compound(s), utilizing exogenously added enzyme activities. Methods of producing C40 carotenoid compounds in microbial cultures, and feed and nutritional supplement compositions that include the C40 carotenoid compounds produced in the microbial cultures, are also provided.

The present invention is related to a novel enzymatic process for production of retinoids via a multi-step process, which process includes the use of heterologous enzymes having activity in a carotene-producing host cell, particularly wherein such process results in high percentage of retinoids, in trans-isoform.

Disclosed is a method for culturing Haematococcus pluvialis containing a large amount of astaxanthin. According to one embodiment, the method includes culturing Haematococcus pluvialis under autotrophic conditions to prepare a culture containing cysts in which astaxanthin is accumulated and adding a nitrogen source to the culture to induce germination of the cysts.

Disclosed is a method for culturing Haematococcus pluvialis containing a large amount of astaxanthin. According to one embodiment, the method includes culturing Haematococcus pluvialis under autotrophic conditions to prepare a culture containing cysts in which astaxanthin is accumulated and adding a nitrogen source to the culture to induce germination of the cysts.

A marker composition for selecting a living modified organism allows transformation and the production of a target product without antibiotics or antibiotic resistance genes. The marker composition for selecting a living modified organism may basically prevent problems caused by the use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes and produce a target product at a high yield.

The present invention relates to a novel Chlamydomonas strain with an improved oil generation function, the strain of the present invention having useful mycological characteristics as a strain that provides a useful substance, such as a vegetable oil, in a microalga, as the strain has a fast cell growth speed and an excellent lipid generation function compared to conventional strains. In particular, the present invention can provide a vegetable oil with improved stability and a longer preservation period by containing, in a cell, a large amount of antioxidant pigments such as lutein and zeaxanthin, and can, thereby, be usefully used in industries such as food, medicine, cosmetics, etc., which utilize a vegetable oil.

The present invention is related to a method for increasing the trans-specificity of a beta-carotene oxidase (BCO), particularly insect BCO, to be used in the production of vitamin A aldehyde (retinal) from conversion of beta-carotene, with at least about 75 to 100% of retinal in the trans-isoform.

The present invention is related to a method for increasing the trans-specificity of a beta-carotene oxidase (BCO), particularly insect BCO, to be used in the production of vitamin A aldehyde (retinal) from conversion of beta-carotene, with at least about 75 to 100% of retinal in the trans-isoform.

Provided is a method for producing astaxanthin, comprising: (a) performing heterotrophic cultivation of astaxanthin-producing Haematococcus pluvialis; (b) performing heterotrophic cultivation of the Haematococcus pluvialis obtained in step (a) under conditions of high acetate concentration and high dissolved oxygen concentration, where the acetate concentration is at least 1800 mg/L and the dissolved oxygen concentration is at least 2.0 mg/L; and (c) collecting algae cells from step (b) and/or harvesting astaxanthin. Also provided is a base medium for culturing Haematococcus pluvialis, a propagation feed medium, and an induction feed medium.

Provided is a method for producing astaxanthin, comprising: (a) performing heterotrophic cultivation of astaxanthin-producing Haematococcus pluvialis; (b) performing heterotrophic cultivation of the Haematococcus pluvialis obtained in step (a) under conditions of high acetate concentration and high dissolved oxygen concentration, where the acetate concentration is at least 1800 mg/L and the dissolved oxygen concentration is at least 2.0 mg/L; and (c) collecting algae cells from step (b) and/or harvesting astaxanthin. Also provided is a base medium for culturing Haematococcus pluvialis, a propagation feed medium, and an induction feed medium.