ANALYSIS OF ASTAXANTHIN AND OTHER CAROTENOIDS FROM SEVERAL PHAFFIA-RHODOZYMA MUTANTS

Astaxanthin and other carotenoids from 29 mutant strains of the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma obtained by means of benomyl and/or ethyl-methanesul fonate treatment and extracted with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were sep arated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Detection at 474 nm revealed variations in the pigment content of the different mutant str ains. Hypopigmented mutants showed higher p-carotene contents than the wild type, whereas hyperpigmented mutants exhibited considerable incr eases (up to 232%) in astaxanthin contents. Furthermore, and contrary to the wild type, the pigments in some of the mutants could be directl y extracted with ethanol, and although the yield of pigment decreased in relation to DMSO, the content of astaxanthin increased up to 80%.