Optimization of Carotenoid Production by Aspergillus Carbonarius in Submerged Fermentation Using a Response Surface Methodology

Based on a three level Box Behnken design involving the variables pH (X1), incubation temperature (X2) and fermentation time (X3), a response surface methodology for the production of carotenoid by a mutant Aspergillus carbonarius CFTRI-UV10046 was standardized. Data analyzed using a second order polynomial equation resulted in the optimized process condition of 46.7 h growth at 29.30C in a corn flour medium of pH 3.3 for carotenoid production. Under these conditions the model predicted 1283.00 mu g of carotenoid /g of dry fungal biomass which is 52.19% higher then the initial medium. With regard to biomass, 2.44 g dry weight/100 ml culture medium was obtained after 56 h of growth at 29.70C in the medium of pH-3.6.