Carotenoids are a group of compounds that provide various health protective benefits. Several microbes, including yeasts, are known to produce such compounds as secondary metabolites and thus these yeasts can be utilized as microbial cell factories for mass production of such compounds. In this investigation, pigment making yeast Rhodotorula taiwanensis was collected from fermentative cake of Bodo community of Assam. The pigment was extracted through acetone-petroleum ether partition and was identified through ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) technique which reveals the presence of Resveratrol, Quercetin, Phytofluene and Xanthophyll. The crude extract showed antimicrobial properties towards Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further, effect of nutrient and UV radiation was examined on pigment production, where glucose and yeast extract medium showed higher amount of pigment production compared to sucrose and tryptone, respectively. This study emphasizes upon yeast pigments and the production for their commercial use in various field of industries.
Yeast, Rhodotorula taiwanensis, Carotenoids, Spectroscopy, UHPLC-MS/MS, Assam
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