The combination of fed-batch processes and low cost substrates
(sugar cane juice and urea) was studied in view of the optimization
of biomass and astaxanthin production by the yeast Phaffia
rhodozyma ATCC 24202. In the optimized process, a biomass and
astaxanthin productivity of 0.327 g/l/h and 0.124 mg/l/h was
achieved, respectively. Compared to the batch process studied, an
increase of approximately 4.55-fold in the biomass productivity
and 4.73-fold in the astaxanthin productivity was found.