Isolation of Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum Producing C-30 Carotenoid 4,4 '-Diaponeurosporene and the Assessment of Its Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Carotenoids are organic pigments with antioxidant properties and are widespread in nature. Here, we isolated five microbes, each forming yellow-colored colonies and harboring C-30 carotenoid biosynthetic genes (crtM and crtN). Thereafter, Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum KCCP11226, which showed the highest carotenoid production, was finally selected and the produced pigment was identified as C-30 carotenoid 4,4'-diaponeurosporene. This strain exhibited the highest survival rate under oxidative stress and its carotenoid production was also enhanced after exposure to 7 mM H2O2. Moreover, it showed the highest ability to scavenge DPPH free radical. Our results suggested that L. plantarum subsp. plantarum KCCP11226, which produces 4,4'-diaponeurosporene as a natural antioxidant, may be a functional probiotic.