Use of Low-Cost Agro-Industrial Substrate to Obtain Carotenoids from Phaffia rhodozyma in a Bioreactor

The aim of this work was to evaluate the production of carotenoids from red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma in a bioreactor using agro-industrial wastes. This study used a sequential strategy of experimental design (Placket-Burman design and central composite rotatable design) to maximize carotenoids bioproduction using agro-industrial byproducts and to optimize agitation and aeration rates in bioreactor. The kinetic and stoichiometric parameters of bioproduction were studied, and the carotenoid profile was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry detector. The maximum total carotenoid recuperation was 2,380 μg/L (639 μg/g on dry basis) reached after 60 h. Four carotenoids were identified, with β-carotene (95%) being the major carotenoid produced using study conditions (250 rpm agitation, 1.5 vvm aeration, 96 h, 25°C) and substrate (100 g/L glycerol, 100 g/L corn steep liquor, and 20 g/L rice parboiled water).