Production of β-Carotene by a newly isolated Rhodotorula Glutinis UCP1555 Strain and cytotoxic effect evaluation

Carotenoids have attracted greater attention due to the beneficial role on human health. It is an essential nutrient and has some biological functions such as species-specific coloration, photoprotection, light absorbing, which is an important component because of its role as precursor of vitamin A. In this study was performed the production of β-Carotene by Rhodotorula glutinis UCP/WFCC 1555 in presence and absence of blue and white using LED (light-emitting diodes) and evaluation of the cytotoxic effect. The production was investigated in low cost medium constituted by different concentrations of CG (crude glycerin) and CSL (corn steep liquor) from the CCD (Central Composite Design) and the identification and yield of the β-Carotene was investigated by chromatographic profile (HPLC). Additionally, the β-Carotene produced was tested to evaluate its cytotoxic effect in human tumor cells MCF-7 (breast cancer) and HL-60 (promyelocytic leukemia) and healthy cells of macrophages. The results showed that in the medium composed by 6% glycerin and 0.6% corn steep liquor, in the absence of light, occurred the maximum production of total carotenoids with values of 160 μg·g and these 100.60 μg·g correspond to the β-Carotene that showed ability in inhibit cell growth in several tumor cells such as MCF-7 cells (breast cancer) and HL-60 (promyelocytic leukemia).