Production of carotenoids by strains of Rhodotorula glutinis cultured in raw materials of agro-industrial origin

The production of carotenoids by strains of Rhodotorula glutinis on different raw materials of agro-industrial origin (grape must, glucose syrup, beet molasses, soybean flour extract, maize flour extract) was investigated. Maximum yield (5.95 mg/l of total carotenoids culture fluid, 630 mu g/g dry cell weight) was obtained with a particular strain of Rhodotorula glutinis after a batch culture of 120 h in a substrate containing concentrated rectified grape must as the sole carbohydrate source. In all experiments, the major pigments forming carotenoids (beta-carotene, torulene, torularhodin) were quantified. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.