Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for producing beta-carotene using a mated culture of Mucorales fungi. The method includes mutating and selecting negative (minus mating type) and positive (plus mating type) Mucorales fungal microorganisms, culturing the selected negative and positive microorganisms in an effective medium to form a mated culture that produces beta-carotene, and recovering beta-carotene therefrom. The present invention provides mated cultures that overproduce beta-carotene and is also directed to certain negative and positive microorganisms used to overproduce beta-carotene. The present invention also provides beta-carotene formulations produced by the claimed method, and the use of such formulations, for example, to enhance pigmentation, to reduce damage caused by reactive oxygen species or phototoxic molecules, to prevent or treat cancer or cardiovascular disease, to provide a Vitamin A supplement, to enhance lactation, and to increase fertility.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for producing beta-carotene using negative (minus mating type) Mucorales fungal microorganisms. The method includes mutating and selecting negative Mucorales fungal microorganisms, culturing the selected negative microorganisms in an effective medium to produce beta-carotene, and recovering beta-carotene therefrom. The present invention provides negative microorganisms that overproduce beta-carotene, beta-carotene formulations produced by the disclosed method, and the use of such formulations to enhance pigmentation, to reduce damage caused by reactive oxygen species or phototoxic molecules, to prevent or treat cancer or cardiovascular disease, to provide a Vitamin A supplement, to enhance lactation, and to increase fertility.