Vibrational spectroscopy methodology for profiling of mixed carbon metabolism in carotenogenic and oleaginous Mucor circinelloides

This study demonstrates that stable isotope labelling coupled with multi-modal infrared and Raman spectroscopies is a powerful approach for tracking carbon flow in mixed substrate fermentations. The findings highlight the pivotal roles of glucose in lipid accumulation and polyphosphates as alternative energy reserves in Mucor circinelloides. The combined use of multiple infrared and Raman techniques revealed complementary spectral features, improving data reliability and providing a comprehensive chemical insight into the fermentation process. This approach can contribute to the development of more efficient bioprocesses for sustainable production in industrial biotechnology.