The Effect of Zn(II) Ions and Reactive Oxygen on the Uptake of Zinc and Production of Carotenoids by Selected Red Yeasts

Abstract

Three strains of red yeast Rhodosporidium kratochvilovae, Rhodotorula glutinis and Sporidiobolus salmonicolor were studied for their responses to the presence metal stress, oxidative stress and a combination of these stress factors. For all yeast strains, the production of β-carotene increased in stress conditions. The combination of H₂ O₂ and Zn²⁺ significantly activated the pathways for the production of torularhodin in the strain R. glutinis (from 250 to 470 μg g^-1 DCW) as well as β-carotene (from 360 to 1100 μg g^-1 DCW) and torulene (from 100 to 360 μg g^-1 DCW) in Sp. salmonicolor. Strains of R. glutinis and Rh. kratochvilovae bound the majority of Zn(II) ions to the fibrillar part of the cell walls, whereas the strain Sp. salmonicolor bound them to both extracellular polymers and the fibrillar part of the cell walls. A decrease in the ability of yeasts to tolerate higher concentrations of Zn(II) in the presence of free radicals (hydrogen peroxide) was also found.

Keywords: carotene pigment; exoglycoproteins; hydrogen peroxide; red yeasts; zinc(II) ions.