This work aimed at screening microorganisms capable of producing carotenoids. Microorganisms were isolated from soil, leaves, fruits, flowers, agro-industrial wastes, and processed product in decomposition and then grown in an orbital shaker, using 10% (w/v) of inoculum (25 8C, 180 rpm for 48 h) and incubated for 120 h in a dark room. A total of 116 microorganisms were isolated and screened: 16 yeasts, 65 bacteria, and 35 fungi. Three yeasts demonstrated great potential to produce red carotenoids, with a total carotenoid content of 707-818 mg L 71 (99-263 mg g 71 ). One filamentous fungus and two bacteria produced mostly yellow pigments in a final concentration ranging from 1063 to 2563 mg L 71 (239-2310 mg g 71 ). From 116 isolated microorganisms, several of them showed potential for production of carotenoid-synthesizing activity. RAPD analysis was used to check the genetic differences between the screened strains, showing that all microorganisms were from different species.Keywords: screening; microorganisms; carotenoids; industrial residues; RAPD El objetivo de este trabajo fue examinar los microorganismos capaces de producir carotenoides. Microorganismos de tierra, hojas, frutos, flores, residuos agro-industriales y producto procesado en descomposicio´n se aislaron y se cultivaron en un agitador orbital, usando 10% (w/v) de ino´culo (25 8C, 180 rpm durante 48 horas) e incubados durante 120 h en una habitacio´n oscura. Se aislaron y examinaron un total de 116 microorganismos, 16 levaduras, 65 bacterias y 35 hongos. Tres levaduras demostraron un gran potencial para producir carotenoides rojos, con un contenido total de carotenoides de entre 707 a 818 mg L 71 (de 99 a 263 mg g
71). Un hongo filamentoso y dos bacterias produjeron en su mayorı´a pigmentos amarillos en una concentracio´n final de entre 1063 a 2563 mg L
71(239 a 2310 mg g 71 ). De 116 microorganismos aislados, varios de ellos mostraron potencial para la produccio´n de actividad sintetizadora de carotenoides. Se uso´el ana´lisis RAPD para revisar las diferencias gene´ticas entre las cepas examinadas, mostrando que todos los microorganismos eran de diferentes especies.