Carotenoid Production by the Rhodotorula rubra MJU11 on Corn Dust through Solid State Fermentation

Abstract

This study aimed to produce carotenoid from the yeast Rhodotorula rubra MJU11 on corn dust
which can be used as animal feed. The feed is a key factor in animal production to increase growth and
productivity. It also reduces the amount of waste from agriculture and reduces air pollution from the
burning corn dust by farmers. The initial fermentation condition was carried out at 50% moisture content,
30 ๐C and initial pH 7.0. The results showed that the highest yield of biomass and carotenoid was obtained
at the 48th hours of fermentation with 17.98 g dry weight/g corn dust and amount of carotenoid 22.4 μg/g
dry weight corn dust. Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to optimize the condition of cell growth
and carotenoid production. It was found that optimum condition was pH 7.0, 50% initial moisture content
and C:N Ratio was 8: 1 with the biomass of 82.09 g dry weight/g corn dust and carotenoids 72.01 μg/g
dry weight corn dust.