Carotenoids production from a newly isolated Sporidiobolus pararoseus strain using agroindustrial substrates

This work aimed at evaluating the carotenoids production by a newly isolated Sporidiobolus pararoseus using agroindustrial substrates (glycerol, corn steep liquor and parboiled rice water). Bio-production was carried out in an orbital shaker, using 10% (w/v) of inoculum (25 °C, 180 rpm for 35 h), incubated for 120 h in a dark room. Liquid N2 and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) were used for cell rupture and carotenoids were extracted with a solution of acetone/methanol (7:3, v/v). Optimization of carotenoids bio-production was achieved by experimental design technique. Maximum concentration of 843 μg L−1 (β-carotene of 396 μg L−1) of carotenoids was obtained in a medium containing 40 g L−1 of glycerol, 40 g L−1 of corn steep liquor and 20 g L−1 of parboiled rice water, 25 °C, initial pH 4.0 and 180 rpm. The kinetic evaluation showed that the maximum concentration of total carotenoids was reached after 96 h of bio-production and that carotenoids production was associated with cell growth. The substrate consumption showed that at 96 h of bio-production consumption of 76% of total organic carbon (54% of glycerol) and 76% of nitrogen occurred.