Potential of Microalgae Carotenoids for Industrial Application

Author(s)

Cezare-Gomes, Eleane A. ^[1] ; Mejia-da-Silva, Lauris del Carmen ^[1] ; Perez-Mora, Lina S. ^[1] ; Matsudo, Marcelo C. ^[2] ; Ferreira-Camargo, Livia S. ^[3] ; Singh, Anil Kumar ^[4] ; Monteiro de Carvalho, Joao Carlos ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biochem & Pharmaceut Technol, Ave Prof Lineu Prestes 580, Bl 16, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Itajuba, Inst Nat Resources, Av Benedito Pereira dos Santos, BR-37500903 Itajuba, MG - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ ABC, Ctr Nat & Human Sci, R Abolicao S-N Vila Sao Pedro, BR-09210180 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Pharm, Ave Prof Lineu Prestes 580, Bl 16, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology; v. 188, n. 3, p. 602-634, JUL 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 4

Abstract

Microalgae cultivation, when compared to the growth of higher plants, presents many advantages such as faster growth, higher biomass productivity, and smaller land area requirement for cultivation. For this reason, microalgae are an alternative platform for carotenoid production when compared to the traditional sources. Currently, commercial microalgae production is not well developed but, fortunately, there are several studies aiming to make the large-scale production feasible by, for example, employing different cultivation systems. This review focuses on the main carotenoids from microalgae, comparing them to the traditional sources, as well as a critical analysis about different microalgae cultivation regimes that are currently available and applicable for carotenoid accumulation. Throughout this review paper, we present relevant information about the main commercial microalgae carotenoid producers; the comparison between carotenoid content from food, vegetables, fruits, and microalgae; and the great importance and impact of these molecule applications, such as in food (nutraceuticals and functional foods), cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, feed (colorants and additives), and healthcare area. Lastly, the different operating systems applied to these photosynthetic cultivations are critically discussed, and conclusions and perspectives are made concerning the best operating system for acquiring high cell densities and, consequently, high carotenoid accumulation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/24486-0 - Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a production platform to obtain biopharmaceuticals of national interest
• Grantee: Lívia Seno Ferreira Camargo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Young Researchers