Abstract:

Fermentation conditions of Neurospora crassa for the production of lycopene were optimized by response surface
methodology with Box-Behnken design. The cultured cells were disrupted by ultrasonication and milling for the extraction
of pigment with ethyl acetate-acetone (2:1, V/V) before analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Good separation of lycopene was achieved by using acetonitrile-dichloromethane (10:90, V/V) as the mobile phase, and the
detection was performed at 472 nm. The yield of lycopene was 10.09 mg/L under the optimal fermentation conditions: 30 ℃,
an inoculum size of 6.5%, a shaking speed of 100 r/min and 110 h.

Key words: Neurospora crassa, lycopene, high performance liquid chromatography, ultrasonication, fermentation, response surface methodology