Phaffia rhodozyma strain Ant-1 produces more carotenoids, known as antioxidants, but it was more sensitive to light plus toluidine blue O (TBO), a superoxide producer, than wild strain 67-385 at 20 degrees C. Carotenoid hyperproducing mutants (CHMs), Ant-1 and 2A2N, exhibited decreased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared to 67-385, and this is in part responsible for hypersensitivity of the mutants to photosensitization. Light plus TBO at 2 degrees C allowed carotenoid hyperproducing mutants to produce higher colony-forming units than the wild-type. Photosensitization with limited cell metabolism by a low temperature, provides an idea of selective conditions for carotenoid hyperproducers of P. rhodozyma.