Biotechnological process for the development of natural colorants from microbial sources for industrial application: phase II

• Grant number: 21/06686-8
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• Start date: September 01, 2022
• End date: August 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Valéria de Carvalho Santos Ebinuma
• Grantee: Valéria de Carvalho Santos Ebinuma
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Adriana Aparecida Lopes ; Adriano Alves Passos ; Cassamo Ussemane Mussagy ; CLARISSA PICCININ FRIZZO ; Danielle Biscaro Pedrolli ; Denise Grotto ; Fernando Masarin ; Filipa Alexandra André Vicente ; Jorge Pereira ; Maria Gonzalez Miquel ; Mario Antonio Torres Acosta ; Rosa Marisa Cuellar Franca
• Associated research grant: 14/01580-3 - Biotechnological process for the development of new natural colorants from microorganisms for industrial application, AP.JP
• Associated research grant(s): 24/08205-5 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2021/06686-8: parallel stirred tank bioreactor, AP.EMU; 23/01368-3 - Stabilization and encapsulation of natural colorants and application in the development of packaging and cosmetics, AP.R
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/00540-0 - Bridges to knowledge: Science beyond the walls of the University, BP.JC; 24/00547-4 - Bridges to knowledge: Science beyond the walls of the University, BP.JC; 22/14207-5 - Eco/genotoxicology of microbial colorants and alternative solvents: a tool to enable their application in sustainable industrial processes, BP.PD; + associated scholarships 23/09922-0 - Evaluation of the extraction and stability of carotenoids from Rhodotorula glutinis biomass in the presence of deep eutectic solvents, BP.IC; 23/13069-0 - Stability and Application of Microbial Colorants in Cosmetics and Food, BP.IC; 23/00569-5 - Production of Blue colorant (Indigoidine) by submerged culture of Streptomyces lavendulae, BP.MS; 23/10165-9 - Extrcation of blue pigment indigoidine from Streptomyces lavendulae biomass, BP.IC; 22/12639-5 - Agro-industrial waste hydrolysate as carbon source for azaphilone colorants production, BP.IC; 22/02015-4 - Safety assessment of the natural azaphilone colorant from microbial sources: in vivo study, BP.MS; 22/10809-0 - Production of carotenoids by submerged culture of the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis employing statistical tool, BP.MS - associated scholarships

Abstract

Colorants have been used for centuries to enhance or restore the original appearance of different products and ensure their uniformity. The global market of colorants includes artificial and natural molecules; however, due to the consumer concerns regarding their health, the market for natural products have been raising in several industrial segments, especially, increasing the studies for the microbial production of natural colorants. These bioproducts exhibit further advantages because of their biological activities such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this project aims to develop a biorefinery of microbial colorants towards a sustainable circular bioeconomy, following the development of 2 sub-projects: 1) production of azaphilone colorants by Talaromyces amestolkiae and; 2) production of astaxanthin by Phaffia rhodozyma. For both processes, agroindustrial residues, namely, citrus waste, sugarcane bagasse and straw, will be valorized through their polysaccharide's hydrolysis, which will be then employed as carbon source in the stage of submerged cultivation in stirred tank bioreactor. After, the extraction of colorants using biosolvents-based liquid-liquid extraction platforms will be studied, to ensure an ecologically and environmentally sustainable process. A scale-up of the best process for extracting each colorant will be performed using centrifugal partition chromatography. The toxicity of azaphilone colorants and their application in hydrogels and textile matrices will be also evaluated. As the final stage of the project, the integration of the entire process will combine main upstream and downstream processing aiming to maximize the yield of target colorants. The long-term sustainability of technologies will be assessed through both techno-economic and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The present proposal intends to apply a holistic and integrative approach of chemical and biological engineering for the microbial production of natural colorants, aiming to develop an environmentally and economically sustainable process, with a positive impact on the environment and helping to democratize the access to natural and healthier additives. (AU)

Scientific publications

(33)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; RIBEIRO, HELENA F.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; SCHUUR, BOELO; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.. Rhodotorula sp.-based biorefinery: a source of valuable biomolecules. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, v. 106, n. 22, p. 17-pg., 2022-10-18. (19/15493-9, 21/06686-8, 20/08655-0)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; FARIAS, FABIANE O.; BILA, NIURA M.; GIANNINI, MARIA J. S. M.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; PESSOA JR, ADALBERTO. Recovery of beta-carotene and astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma biomass using aqueous solutions of cholinium-based ionic liquids. Separation and Purification Technology, v. 290, p. 11-pg., 2022-06-01. (21/06686-8, 19/15493-9, 20/08655-0)

DE OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA; ZAPATA-BOADA, SANTIAGO; DA SILVA, S. S.; CUELLAR-FRANCA, ROSA M.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.. Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Polyketides Colorants Production by Talaromyces Strain through Better Hydrodynamic Design in Bioreactors. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING, v. N/A, p. 15-pg., 2022-10-17. (14/01580-3, 21/09175-4, 16/10636-8, 19/15493-9, 21/06686-8)

DA SILVA, JANIA BETANIA ALVES; VIEIRA, SUELLEN ROCHA; PESSOA, LUIGGI CAVALCANTI; SANTANA, JAMILLE SANTOS; LEMOS, PAULO VITOR FRANCA; DE SOUZA, CAROLINA OLIVEIRA; CARDOSO, LUCAS GUIMARAES; ASSIS, DENILSON DE JESUS; MUSSAGY, CASSAMO USSEMANE; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA CARVALHO. Impact of ionic liquid's cation alkyl chain length and reaction time on cellulose nanocrystals preparation. CARBOHYDRATE POLYMER TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS, v. 6, p. 12-pg., 2023-11-15. (21/06686-8)

MAGALHAES, FLAVIA F.; NEVES, MARCIA C.; PEDRO, AUGUSTO Q.; FREIRE, MARA G.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; TAVARES, ANA P. M.. Recombinant laccase biosynthesis for efficient polydopamine coating. Biochemical Engineering Journal, v. 212, p. 11-pg., 2024-09-14. (21/06686-8, 23/01368-3)

DE OLIVEIRA, F.; DIAS, A. C.; SANCHEZ-MUNOZ, S.; BALBINO, T. R.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, V. C.; DA SILVA, S. S.. Sustainability feasibility of fungi-based biocolorants by biotechnological routes. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL, v. 494, p. 18-pg., 2024-06-19. (21/06686-8, 23/01368-3, 21/09175-4, 22/14603-8)

BARROS, RITA A. M.; CRISTOVAO, RAQUEL O.; CARNEIRO, INES. G.; BARROS, MARIA A.; PEREIRA, MATHEUS M.; CARABINEIRO, SONIA A. C.; FREIRE, MARA G.; FARIA, JOAQUIM L.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; TAVARES, ANA P. M.; et al. Improved L-Asparaginase Properties and Reusability by Immobilization onto Functionalized Carbon Xerogels. CHEMPLUSCHEM, v. 89, n. 9, p. 13-pg., 2024-03-22. (21/06686-8, 18/06908-8)

CRISTOVAO, RAQUEL O.; BARROS, RITA A. M.; MARRAMAQUE, TERESA P.; AGUIAR, GONCALO G.; ALMEIDA, MAFALDA R.; CARABINEIRO, SONIA A. C.; DE PAIVA, GABRIELA B.; PEDROLLI, DANIELLE B.; FREIRE, MARA G.; FARIA, JOAQUIM L.; et al. One-step purification of L-asparaginase from cell extracts using carbon xerogels. Separation and Purification Technology, v. 354, p. 9-pg., 2024-08-01. (21/06686-8, 18/06908-8, 21/01284-9)

GALVAN, KARINA LIZZETH PEDRAZA; VERISSISMO, NATHALIA VIEIRA PORHIRIO; SANTANA, JAMILLE SANTOS; LEMOS, PAULO VITOR FRANCA; DE SOUZA, CAROLINA OLIVEIRA; CARDOSO, LUCAS GUIMARAES; ASSIS, DENILSON DE JESUS; MARCELINO, HENRIQUE RODRIGUES; DE OLIVEIRA, THAMILA THALLINE BATISTA; BIASOTO, ALINE TELLES CAMARA; et al. Encapsulation of polyketide colorants in chitosan and maltodextrin microparticles. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v. 269, p. 13-pg., 2024-05-10. (21/06686-8, 23/01368-3, 23/10479-3)

BALBINO, THERCIA ROCHA; SANCHEZ-MUNOZ, SALVADOR; DIAZ-RUIZ, ERICK; ROCHA, THIAGO MOURA; MIER-ALBA, EDITH; INACIO, STEPHANIE CUSTODIO; CASTRO-ALONSO, MARIA JOSE; DE CARVALHO SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA; PEREIRA, JORGE FERNANDO BRANDAO; SANTOS, JULIO CESAR; et al. Lignocellulosic biorefineries as a platform for the production of high-value yeast derived pigments-A review. Bioresource Technology, v. 386, p. 12-pg., 2023-10-01. (21/06686-8, 20/12059-3, 16/10636-8)

NAKAMURA, CECILIA NAOMI; PORPHIRIO VERISSIMO, NATHALIA VIEIRA; OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA; FRIZZO, CLARISSA P.; PEREZ-SANCHEZ, GERMAN; COUTINHO, JOAO A. P.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA G.. Extraction of natural colorants using supramolecular solvents composed of Triton X-114 and ionic liquids. Separation and Purification Technology, v. 319, p. 10-pg., 2023-05-20. (21/06686-8, 19/15493-9, 21/09175-4, 14/16424-7)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; OSHIRO, ARIANE A.; LIMA, CAIO A.; AMANTINO, CAMILA F.; PRIMO, FERNANDO L.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; HERCULANO, RONDINELLI D.. Natural fluorescent red colorants produced by Talaromyces amestolkiae as promising coloring agents for custom-made latex gloves. JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY, v. 119, p. 10-pg., 2023-01-23. (11/17411-8, 20/08655-0, 19/15493-9, 21/06686-8, 14/17526-8)

VERISSIMO, NATHALIA VIEIRA PORPHIRIO; MUSSAGY, CASSAMO USEMANE; BENTO, HEITOR BUZETTI SIMOES; PEREIRA, JORGE FERNANDO BRANDAO; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA DE CARVALHO. Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for the stabilization of biopharmaceuticals: A review. BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, v. 71, p. 22-pg., 2024-01-16. (21/06686-8, 23/01368-3, 18/06908-8, 23/10479-3)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; KURNIA, KIKI A.; DIAS, ANA C. R. V.; RAGHAVAN, VIJAYA; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; PESSOA JR, ADALBERTO. n eco-friendly approach for the recovery of astaxanthin and 8-carotene from Phaffia rhodozyma biomass using bio-based solvent. Bioresource Technology, v. 345, FEB 2022. (20/08655-0, 19/15493-9, 18/06908-8, 21/06686-8)

ALVES, MARIANA B. N.; LOPES, ANDRE M.; SANTOS, NATHALIA A.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; VICENTE, FILIPA A.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.. Influence of Choline Chloride on the Phase Equilibria and Partition Performance of Polymer/Polymer Aqueous Biphasic Systems. SEPARATIONS, v. 10, n. 10, p. 13-pg., 2023-10-01. (16/23776-2, 14/01580-3, 18/10799-0, 14/16424-7, 21/06686-8, 17/10789-1)

AIRES-FERNANDES, MARIZA; COSTA, RAMON BOTELHO; DO AMARAL, STEPHANIE ROCHETTI; MUSSAGY, CASSAMO USSEMANE; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; PRIMO, FERNANDO LUCAS. Development of Biotechnological Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy: Cancer Research and Treatment-From Benchtop to Clinical Practice. Molecules, v. 27, n. 20, p. 19-pg., 2022-10-01. (21/06686-8, 20/09396-8)

DOS REIS, BIANCA DALBEM; DE OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; FILLETTI, ERICA REGINA; NETO, ALVARO DE BAPTISTA. Assessment of artificial neural networks to predict red colorant production by Talaromyces amestolkiae. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, v. 46, n. 1, p. 10-pg., 2022-11-28. (14/01580-3, 19/15493-9, 21/06686-8, 21/09175-4)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; PESSOA, ADALBERTO, JR.; RAGHAVAN, VIJAYA. Insights into using green and unconventional technologies to recover natural astaxanthin from microbial biomass. CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION, v. N/A, p. 15-pg., 2022-06-22. (21/06686-8, 20/08655-0, 19/15493-9)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; FARIAS, FABIANE O.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.; PESSOA JR, ADALBERTO. Sustainable one-pot platform for the green recovery of carotenoids from Phaffia rhodozyma yeast and their use as natural additives in soap formulation. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION, v. 29, p. 12-pg., 2023-01-23. (18/06908-8, 20/08655-0, 21/06686-8)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; GONZALEZ-MIQUEL, MARIA; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.. Microbial torularhodin - a comprehensive review. CRITICAL REVIEWS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY, v. N/A, p. 19-pg., 2022-03-09. (18/06908-8, 20/08655-0, 21/06686-8)

BENTO, HEITOR B. S.; PAIVA, GABRIELA B.; ALMEIDA, MAFALDA R.; SILVA, CLAUDIA G.; CARVALHO, PEDRO J.; TAVARES, ANA P. M.; PEDROLLI, DANIELLE B.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.. Aliivibrio fischeri L-Asparaginase production by engineered Bacillus subtilis: a potential new biopharmaceutical. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, v. 45, n. 10, p. 10-pg., 2022-08-16. (18/06908-8, 20/15513-7, 21/01284-9, 21/06686-8)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; REMONATTO, DANIELA; PICHELI, FLAVIO P.; V. PAULA, ARIELA; HERCULANO, RONDINELLI D.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; FARIAS, RENAN L.; ONISHI, BRUNO S. D.; RIBEIRO, SIDNEY J. L.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.; et al. A look into Phaffia rhodozyma biorefinery: From the recovery and fractionation of carotenoids, lipids and proteins to the sustainable manufacturing of biologically active bioplastics. Bioresource Technology, v. 362, p. 11-pg., 2022-08-19. (19/15493-9, 20/08655-0, 21/06686-8)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; DOS SANTOS, AMANDA; MILITAO, GABRIELY F. G.; DE OLIVEIRA, JESSICA CAROLINA SILVA; UMBUZEIRO, GISELA DE A.; PEIXOTO, GUILHERME; PESSOA JR, ADALBERTO; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.. Phaffia rhodozyma biorefinery: A sustainable pathway to obtain natural pigments and production of methane biogas as renewable fuel. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL, v. 473, p. 12-pg., 2023-10-01. (21/06686-8, 20/08655-0, 19/15493-9, 20/04628-8)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; OSHIRO, ARIANE; FARIAS, FABIANE O.; HADDAD, FELIPE F.; DOS SANTOS, JEAN L.; SCARIM, CAUE B.; HERCULANO, RONDINELLI D.; PESSOA JR, ADALBERTO; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.. Emerging role of bio-based solvents mixtures to increase the solubility and recovery of carotenoids from processed carrot wastes for potential skin care application. INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS, v. 205, p. 12-pg., 2023-12-01. (21/06686-8, 20/08655-0)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; DIAS, JULIA N.; CAICEDO-PAZ, ANGIE V.; GINI, ANA L. R.; SCARIM, CAUE B.; TROPEA, ALESSIA; LA TELLA, ROBERTA; MONDELLO, LUIGI; LOPES-FILHO, PAULO E. L.; TANAKA, JEAN L.; et al. Microbial astaxanthin-encapsulated polymeric micelles from yeast Phaffia rhodozyma for personalized bioactive colored natural rubber latex bandages. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v. 305, p. 17-pg., 2025-05-01. (21/06686-8, 15/11759-3, 23/17448-6)

FREITAS, AMANDA NOLI; REMONATTO, DANIELA; MIOTTI JR, RODNEY HELDER; DO NASCIMENTO, JOAO FRANCISCO CABRAL; MOURA, ADRIANA CANDIDO DA SILVA; EBINUMA, VALERIA DE CARVALHO SANTOS; DE PAULA, ARIELA VELOSO. Adsorption of extracellular lipase in a packed-bed reactor: an alternative immobilization approach. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, v. 47, n. 10, p. 15-pg., 2024-08-05. (21/13147-6, 23/01368-3, 21/06686-8, 20/09592-1)

DE LIMA, ISABELLE ALMEIDA; LIMA, CAIO DE AZEVEDO; DE ANNUNZIO, SARAH RAQUEL; DE OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA; DA SILVA, SILVIO SILVERIO; FONTANA, CARLA RAQUEL; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA DE CARVALHO. Fungal derived dye as potential photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY, v. 264, p. 9-pg., 2025-03-01. (21/06686-8, 23/01368-3, 18/09088-1, 22/14603-8, 18/23015-7, 21/09175-4, 19/04294-5)

SILVA, PEDRO GARCIA PEREIRA; MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; LIMA, CAIO DE AZEVEDO; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; BURKERT, JANAINA FERNANDES DE MEDEIROS; SANTOS, LUCIELEN OLIVEIRA. Sustainable approach to recover β-carotene and astaxanthin from Phaffia rhodozyma grown in a stirred-tank bioreactor under the influence of magnetic fields. Bioresource Technology, v. 390, p. 10-pg., 2023-10-27. (21/06686-8)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; DIAS, ANA C. R. V.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.; SADEK, M. SHAABAN; AHMAD, MUSHTAQ; DE ANDRADE, CLEVERTON R.; HADDAD, FELIPE F.; DOS SANTOS, JEAN L.; SCARIM, CAUE B.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.; et al. Is the carotenoid production from Phaffia rhodozyma yeast genuinely sustainable? a comprehensive analysis of biocompatibility, environmental assessment, and techno-economic constraints. Bioresource Technology, v. 397, p. 12-pg., 2024-02-19. (21/06686-8, 23/01368-3)

LIMA, CAIO A.; BENTO, HEITOR B. S.; PICHELI, FLAVIO P.; PAZ-CEDENO, FERNANDO R.; MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; MASARIN, FERNANDO; ACOSTA, MARIO A. TORRES; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.. Process development and techno-economic analysis of co- production of colorants and enzymes valuing agro-industrial citrus waste. SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACY, v. 35, p. 13-pg., 2023-10-01. (21/06686-8, 14/01580-3, 19/15493-9, 21/09175-4)

MUSSAGY, CASSAMO U.; SILVA, PEDRO G. P.; AMANTINO, CAMILA F.; BURKERT, JANAINA F. M.; PRIMO, FERNANDO L.; PESSOA, ADALBERTO, JR.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.. Production of natural astaxanthin by Phaffia rhodozyma and its potential application in textile dyeing. Biochemical Engineering Journal, v. 187, p. 10-pg., 2022-10-07. (19/15493-9, 21/06686-8, 20/08655-0)

VERISSISMO, NATHALIA V.; NAKAMURA, CECILIA NAOMI; DE OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA; KUHN, BRUNA L.; FRIZZO, CLARISSA P.; PEREIRA, JORGE F. B.; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.. Effect of amphiphilic ionic liquids on the colorimetric properties of polyketides colorants. JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS, v. 363, p. 11-pg., 2022-07-30. (14/01580-3, 14/16424-7, 21/09175-4, 19/15493-9, 21/06686-8)

BARBIERI, GIORGIA S.; BENTO, HEITOR B. S.; DE OLIVEIRA, FERNANDA; PICHELI, FLAVIO P.; DIAS, LIDIA M.; MASARIN, FERNANDO; SANTOS-EBINUMA, VALERIA C.. Xylanase Production by Talaromyces amestolkiae Valuing Agroindustrial Byproducts. BIOTECH, v. 11, n. 2, p. 12-pg., 2022-05-17. (14/01580-3, 19/15493-9, 18/06908-8, 21/06686-8, 20/15513-7)