LAUSR

Abstract In order to produce carotenoids with antioxidant potential from the wild yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Sporidiobolus pararoseus and Pichia fermentans, isolated from the ecosystem of Escudo Sul-Rio Grandense (Brazil), cultivations were performed with: raw glycerol and corn steep liquor (M1), sugar cane molasses and corn steep liquor (M2) and Yeast Malt (YM) broth. Production of β-carotene more than 63% was obtained in all the experiments. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was analyzed by the methods DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. S. pararoseus is highlighted, showing 635 and 830 μg.L−1 of carotenoids in M1 and M2, respectively. The extracts of P. fermentans in M2 were promising in relation to the antioxidant activity, presented results not reported in the literature until the present moment. Based on these results and the importance of obtaining carotenoid compounds from alternative sources, the proposed means, as well as the yeasts used, were shown to be promising choices. The use of agroindustrials media and microorganisms isolated from the ecosystems intensify the importance of this study providing new sources of biocompounds from the biodiversity and biotechnological potential of Brazil.