METHOD FOR PRODUCING CAROTENOID-CONTAINING COMPOSITION, AND CAROTENOID-CONTAINING COMPOSITION

摘要

A method for producing a carotenoid-containing composition that does not undergo the decomposition of a carotenoid contained therein, has a high astaxanthin content, contains the carotenoid with high purity and has a good crystal morphology is developed, in which the composition can be produced in spite of a fact that the composition is extracted and purified from a culture of a microorganism capable of producing carotenoids including astaxanthin by a simple process using a conventional solvent, i.e., a lower alcohol. In addition, when a simple step for accelerating the isomerization of astaxanthin is added to the method, the yield of the carotenoid can be improved successfully.