Relationship between Mycobacterial Species and Their Carotenoid Pigments

Abstract

A study of the relationship between mycobacterial species and their carotenoid pigments was carried out. According to the carotenoid pigments contained, the mycobacterial species tested were divided into four groups: the first group of Mycobacterium kansasii and M. marinum, which formed principally only β -carotene ; the second group of M. gordonae, M. scrofulaceum, M. szulgai, M. xenopi, M. Jiaves-cens, M. phlei, M. rhodesiae, M. neoaurum, and M. aichiense, which formed β -carotene and a zeaxanthin-like substance; the third group of M. aurum and M. obuense, which formed β -carotene and an eschscholtzxanthin-like substance; and the fourth group of M. chubuense and M. tokaiense, which formed β -carotene and zeaxanthin- and eschscholtzxanthin-like substances. The common carotenoid pigment throughout the genus Mycobacterium was β -carotene and the hypophasic carotenoids differed according to the species. © 1988, Center For Academic Publications Japan. All rights reserved.