To efficiently produce the subject compound useful for foods, feeds, etc., by proliferating a cell transformed with a DNA containing a base sequence, etc., capable of coding for a GGPP synthase of Flavobacterium sp. R1534 and then separating the resultant product.

A cell transformed with a DNA sequence such as a DNA sequence (crtE) capable of coding for a GGPP synthase of Flavobacterium sp. R1534, a DNA sequence (crtB) capable of coding for a prephytoene synthase of the strain, a DNA sequence (crtI) capable of coding for phytoene desaturase of the strain, a DNA sequence (crtY) capable of coding for lycopene cyclase of the strain or a DNA sequence (crtWE396) capable of coding for a β-carotene β4-oxygenase of a microorganism E-396 (FERM BP-4283) or a vector containing the DNA sequence, etc., is cultured and the resultant product is then separated to efficiently produce the objective canthaxanthin.