Algae as an emerging source of bioactive pigments

Anil Kumar Patel; Frank Paolo Jay B Albarico; Pitchurajan Krishna Perumal; Akash Pralhad Vadrale; Cherry T Nian; Ho Thi Bao Chau; Choirul Anwar; Henna Mohi Ud Din Wani; Anugunj Pal; Reetu Saini; Le Hai Ha; Balamurugan Senthilkumar; Yi-Sheng Tsang; Chiu-Wen Chen; Cheng-Di Dong; Reeta Rani Singhania

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126910

Algae as an emerging source of bioactive pigments

Bioresour Technol. 2022 May:351:126910. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126910. Epub 2022 Feb 26.

Authors

Anil Kumar Patel¹, Frank Paolo Jay B Albarico², Pitchurajan Krishna Perumal³, Akash Pralhad Vadrale³, Cherry T Nian⁴, Ho Thi Bao Chau³, Choirul Anwar⁵, Henna Mohi Ud Din Wani³, Anugunj Pal³, Reetu Saini³, Le Hai Ha³, Balamurugan Senthilkumar³, Yi-Sheng Tsang³, Chiu-Wen Chen⁶, Cheng-Di Dong⁷, Reeta Rani Singhania¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Sustainable Environment Research Center, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Lucknow 226 029, Uttar Pradesh, India.
² Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Fisheries and Marine Research Station (FaMaRS), Fisheries and Marine Sciences Department, College of Fisheries and Allied Sciences, Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, Sagay City 6122, Philippines.
³ Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan.
⁴ Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Aquaculture Department, College of Fisheries, Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, Philippines.
⁵ Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Sustainable Environment Research Center, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan.
⁷ Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Sustainable Environment Research Center, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan; Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan. Electronic address: cddong@nkust.edu.tw.

PMID: 35231601
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.126910

Abstract

Algae have been identified as natural producer of bioactive commercial pigments. To perform photosynthesis, algae use pigments to harvest sunlight energy. The pigments found in algae are categorized in chlorophylls, phycobilins, and carotenoids. Popular carotenoids include astaxanthin, lutein,fucoxanthin, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and finds application as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunoprophylactic, antitumor activities among others. Due to double-bonds in their structure, they exhibit broad health applications while protecting other molecules from oxidative stress induced by active radicals using various mechanisms. These carotenoids are synthesized by certain species as major products however they also present as byproducts in several species based on the pathway and genetic capability. Haematococcus pluvialis and Chlorella zofingiensis are ideal strains for commercial astaxanthin production. This review provides recent updates on microalgal pigment production, extraction, and purification processes to standardize and analyze for commercial production. Also, discussed the factors affecting its production, application, market potential, bottlenecks, and future prospects.

Keywords: Algae; Antioxidant; Bioactive compounds; Carotenoids; Health; Pigment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Carotenoids / metabolism
Chlorella* / metabolism
Chlorophyceae* / metabolism
Lutein / metabolism
Microalgae* / metabolism
Zeaxanthins

Substances

Zeaxanthins
Carotenoids
Lutein