PURPOSE: To efficiently produce canthaxanthin by culturing a bacterium belonging to the genus Rhodococcus, capable of producing canthaxanthin, in a medium and forming and accumulating canthaxanthin in the culture mixture.
CONSTITUTION: A bacterium, preferably Rhodococcus sp. 3779-K (deposited as FERM BP-2141 in Fermentation Research Institute), belonging to the genus Rhodococcus, capable of producing canthaxanthin, is cultured in a medium usable for ordinary bacteria under an aerobic condition at 20-40°C. The culture is usually carried out for 2-10 days, canthaxanthin is formed and accumulated, cells are collected by a means such as centrifugal separation and extracted with a solvent. The extract is further treated by column chromatography, etc., and canthaxanthin is isolated and purified from the culture mixture.
UEJIMA TAKAYUKI
OCHIAI KEIKO
KAWAMOTO ISAO
