Abstract

WELL-DIFFUSION ASSAY: A NOVEL APPROACH FOR SELECTION AND ISOLATION OF HIGH POTENT CULTURE FOR BLAKESLEA TRISPORA.

Umesh Luthra*, Mahek Sharma, Prabhakar Babu and Gayatri T.

ABSTRACT

The production of β-carotene involves joint cultivation of opposite + and - strains of Blakeslea trispora. We have obtained improved colonies of (+) strain by a novel approach, where we screened colonies on the basis of the intensity of colour formed and the diameter of zone through well-diffusion technique. Different spore concentrations were tested to optimize the best spore concentration for further evaluation of activity. Further, the chosen concentration was used to screen for the potent colony with higher β-carotene producing capacity. The maximum zone obtained was 3.8 cm at the 7.4x109/ml concentration of spores in colony B, which suggests that the colony has relatively greater capacity to produce β-carotene. The zone diameter and intensity were directly related with the β-carotene concentration. Through this technique it became easier to screen the high potent culture for β-carotene production.

Keywords: Blakeslea Trsipora, Well-diffusion, ?-carotene, Activity, (+) strain, Spore concentration.