Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Carotenoids Production by Marine Bacteria.

Carotenoids, the fat soluble pigments occurring naturally in various plants,
animals, algae and microorganism are known to possess various health beneficial
properties. Microorganisms as source of carotenoids has gained much attentions due
to possibilities of use of them for industrial production of carotenoids and also
potential for genetic engineering to produce desired carotenoid. Marine bacteria,
being able to survive under extreme conditions are known to produce carotenoid as a
defence mechanism against stress. Hence this investigation was carried out to isolate
marine carotenogenic bacteria and characterise the carotenoids produced by them.
Further, bioactivities of the produced carotenoid was evaluated with respect to
antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity.