Production of Torularhodin, Torulene, and B-Carotene by Rhodotorula Yeasts

MARTÍN MOLINÉ; DIEGO LIBKIND; MARIA ROSA VAN BROOCK

Microbial carotenoids: Methods and Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology Series

Humana Press

Año: 2012; p. 275 - 284

Yeasts of the genera Rhodotorula are able to synthesize different pigments of high economic value like b -carotene, torulene, and torularhodin, and therefore represent a biotechnologically interesting group of yeasts. However, the low production rate of pigment in these microorganisms limits its industrial application. Here we describe some strategies to obtain hyperpigmented mutants of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa by means of UV-B radiation, the procedures for total carotenoids extraction and quanti fi cation, and a method for identi fi cation of each pigment.