Staphyloxanthin plays a role in the fitness of Staphylococcus aureus and its ability to cope with oxidative stress

Staphyloxanthin is a membrane-bound carotenoid of Staphylococcus aureus. Here we studied the interaction of staphylloxanthin with reactive oxygen substances (ROS) and showed by comparative analysis of the wild type (WT) and an isogenic crtM mutant that the WT is more resistant to hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hypochloride, and neutrophil killing.