Abstract: Fermentation of hydrolysate from steam-exploded corn corbs to produce carotenoid was investigated. Factors affecting enzymatic hydrolysis were studied. The optimum conditions were as follows:temperature 50℃, pH value 4.8, substrate mass concentration 50g/L and enzyme loading 48 FPU/g. After 60 h hydrolysis, 34.85g/L of reducing suqars were obtained. Fermentation process for carotenoids production was optimized by a uniform design experiment. The optimum fermentation parameters were as follows: volume charge 23.91mL, initial pH value 4.85, inoculum dosage 9.46%(volume fraction), rotation speed 190r/min, lactoflavin 2mg/L. The production of carotenoid could reach 11.24mg/L.

Key words: corn cob, enzymatic hydrolysis, red yeasts Rhodotorula, carotenoid