Carotenoid production with Rhodospirillum rubrum

For a number of reasons carotenoides are industrially interesting compounds. Many carotenoides have anti-oxidizing properties and a positive effect on human health. Some carotenoids are produced in large scale from plants. But for some interesting carotenoides now no competitive production technology is known. In this project we study the possibility of carotenoid production with the bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. This approach is promising, since wild type Rhodospirillum rubrum already produce considerable amounts of carotenoides. In close cooperation with our biological partners we mathematically model and analyze the relevant pathways.