OPTIMIZATION OF CAROTENOIDS PRODUCTION BY RHODOTORULA MUCILAGINOSA

Optimization of total carotenoids production is dependent on various cultural and physical parameters for pigmented yeasts. The carotenoid production of the red yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa MTCC11835 was optimized using response surface methodology. The carotenogenesis in yeasts is known to be affected by different nutritional factors and environmental stress factors. Effect of various growth parameters like carbon source (glucose; glucose: glycerol (1:2); maltose), nitrogen source (peptone; casein hydrolysate; yeast extract), pH (3.5; 5.0; 6.5) and stress factors (Tween20; hydrogen peroxide) were studied for the maximum yield of carotenoids. The yeast was shown to produce high amount of total carotenoids (21.77 mg g(-1)) in a medium containing glucose: glycerol (1:2), peptone, 0.5% Tween 20, 2.5 mM H2O2 and pH 6.5.