Effect of culture conditions on astaxanthin formation in red yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous mutant JH1

The formation of astaxanthin by Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous mutant JH1 depends on the culture conditions. Therefore, the effects of inoculation rate (1-5%, v/v) and medium compositions (various carbon and nitrogen sources) on cell growth and astaxanthin formation in X. dendrorhous mutant JH1 were investigated. Inoculation at 3% (v/v) was optimal for cell growth and astaxanthin formation. The most effective carbon source for cell growth and astaxanthin formation was glucose, and the best nitrogen source was yeast extract. The 3% (w/v) glucose and 0.2% (w/v) yeast extract showed the best effect on cell growth and astaxanthin formation, compared with others tested. The 3% glucose, 0.2% yeast extract, 0.15% KH₂PO₄, 0.05% MgSO₄, 0.01% MnSO₄, and 0.01% CaCl₂ were selected for cell growth and astaxanthin formation. Under the conditions selected, the maximum concentrations of cell and astaxanthin obtained after 168 h of cultivation were 5.43 g/l and 28.20 mg/l, respectively.