Aims: To obtain beta -carotene-rich dry cell preparation from mutant 32 of Rhodotorula glutinis and determination of its pigment stability. Methods and Results: The mutant 32 of R. glutinis was grown in a 14 l stirred tank fermenter. Cell mass was concentrated 10-fold by cross-flow microfiltration and then spray dried. Butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and d-tocopherol were used as protecting agents. A two-level, three-variable, factorial optimization was performed to achieve moisture-free, non-viable and beta -carotene-rich feed additive. Conclusions: The beta -carotene and cell mass in stirred tank fermenter were found to be 54 +/- 5 mg l(-1) and 12.8 +/- 2 g l(-1) , respectively. In the presence of BHT, 97 +/- 3% (w/w) beta -carotene was recovered for all the inlet temperatures studied. The best beta -carotene and yeast powder recoveries were obtained at 160degreesC, 11.6% (w/v) cell mass concentration and 1 g l(-1) BHT. The pigments inside dried yeast powder were stable in dark and cold condition for at least 10 weeks. The purified beta -carotene got almost totally denatured, under similar conditions of storage, within 76 h. Significance and Impact of the Study: Spray dried and stable preparation of beta -carotene-rich yeast, R. glutinis can provide alternative source of beta -carotene for use in animal nutrition.