PROCESS FOR PRODUCING CAROTENOID COMPOUND

摘要

A process for producing zeaxanthin, beta-carotene or lycopene which comprises mutagenizing a carotenoid-producing microorganism the DNA base sequence of which corresponding to 16S ribosomal RNA is substantially homologous with the base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1, selecting a mutant showing a high ratio of zeaxanthin, beta-carotene or lycopene in the total carotenoid yield to thereby obtain a zeaxanthin, beta-carotene or lycopene-producing strain, culturing the mutant, and then harvesting zeaxanthin, beta-carotene or lycopene or a carotenoid mixture containing the same from the thus obtained culture.