DESCRIPTION

β-Carotene from Blakeslea trispora occurs as red, brownish-red, or purple-violet crystals or as crystalline powder, with the color varying depending on the solvents used and the crystallization conditions. It is obtained by a fermentation process using a mixed culture of the two sexual mating types (+) and (−) of the fungus Blakeslea trispora. The β-carotene is extracted from the biomass using an appropriate food-grade solvent, followed by purification by crystallization. β-Carotene from Blakeslea trispora consists predominantly of all-trans-β-carotene, but may also contain minor amounts of cis-isomers and other carotenoids, of which γ-carotene is the most characteristic type. It is soluble in carbon disulfide, benzene, and in chloroform; sparingly soluble in ether, in solvent hexane, and in vegetable oils; practically insoluble in methanol and in ethanol; insoluble in water and in acids and alkalies. It melts between 176° and 182°, with decomposition. Commercial preparations of β-Carotene from Blakeslea trispora intended for use in foods are prepared from β-Carotene from Blakeslea trispora meeting these specifications and are formulated as suspensions in edible oils or water-dispersible (edible) emulsions and powders. These preparations may have a different ratio of trans/cis isomers.