Patent ID: 8361743

Claim:
A method for producing a carotenoid or pre-carotenoid wherein the carotenoid or pre-carotenoid is zeaxanthin, lycopene, 3′-hydroxyechnenone, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, phytoene and/or phytofluene comprising the steps of: a) culturing bacteria from the genus Algibacter sp, in a suitable culture medium under conditions and for a time period suitable for production of said zeaxanthin, lycopene, 3′-hydroxyechnenone, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, phytoene and/or phytofluene; and b) recovering said zeaxanthin, lycopene, 3′-hydroxyechnenone, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, phytoene and/or phytofluene from the bacteria.