Expressing β- carotene ketolase gene, and key Santo Philo Mrs. (Xanthophyllomyces) genus recombinant microorganism belonging to the (Phaffia (Phaffia) spp.), The steps of culture under aerobic conditions in an aqueous nutrient medium, and the resulting carotenoids from the cells of said recombinant microorganism or comprises isolating from the culture medium, discloses a process for producing canthaxanthin and echinenone.