Disclosed is a process for production of a composition having a carotenoid content of 80% or more, which comprises: extracting a culture of a microorganism, a condensation product of the culture or a dried product of the culture or the condensation product with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a lower alcohol, a water-containing lower alcohol, a lower dialkyl ketone and an ether； condensing the resulting extract to yield a precipitate； and washing the precipitate with at least one member selected from the group consisting of a lower alcohol, a water-containing lower alcohol, a hydrocarbon solvent and a lower dialkyl ketone. Also disclosed is a food, a pharmaceutical composition or a cosmetic comprising the carotenoid-containing composition.
