https://pages.htgaa.org/2026a/sergio-cuiza/labs/lab-week-12--bioproduction-of-beta-carotene-and-lycopene/index.htmlCompletion status: This lab was completed theoretically (no physical or virtual wet lab performed). All procedures, expected results, and answers below are based on the provided protocol, scientific literature, and standard bioproduction principles. The experiment involves genetically modified E. coli with pAC-LYC (lycopene) and pAC-BETA (beta‑carotene) plasmids. Overview & Objective We work with E. coli strains carrying either pAC-LYC (lycopene pathway: CrtE, CrtI, CrtB) or pAC-BETA (adds CrtY, converting lycopene to beta‑carotene). Both plasmids confer chloramphenicol resistance. The goal is to optimise pigment production by varying temperature (30°C vs 37°C), growth media (LB, LB+fructose, 2YT, 2YT+fructose), and measuring cell density (OD600) and pigment absorbance (lycopene at 474 nm, beta‑carotene at 456 nm) after acetone extraction.Hugoen