Characterization of pigment producing rhodotorula from dairy environmental samples

Microbial pigments due to their higher biodegradability and higher compatibility with the environment, offer promising avenues for various applications in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and textiles. Yeast is a eukaryotic organism and among the yeast, species of genus Rhodotroula produces many kinds of carotenoid pigments. The present study was taken to isolate and identify the pigment producing Rhodotorula species from dairy environmental samples. Air sample showed highest count (3.47 log cfu/min) followed by apple and can milk. Rhodotorula isolates of 11 were obtained from air (3), apple (4), can milk (2) and yoghurt (2). Identification of the isolates revealed 3 as Rhodotorula minuta, while 2 as Rhodotorula acheniorum and 6 as unidentified isolates as they did not match with identification key. All the isolates of Rhodotorula were screened for pigment production based on urea hydrolysis Rhodotorula minuta RAI₃; Rhodotorula acheniorum RC₂, Rhodotorula sp RA₂, Rhodotorula minuta RY₁ were selected for pigment production.