Strategies for Improved Production of Microalgae-Derived Carotenoids and Pigments

Abstract

Microalgae is considered a prodigious natural source of commercially and industrially important carotenoids and pigments. Microalgae-derived carotenoids and pigments (MDCPs) have generated immense interest in pharmaceutical industries for their pronounced biological activities. However, the extraction and production of MDCPs are inadequate because of several technological and biological constraints. Recent advances in microalgae biotechnology have opened new avenues and prospects towards the sustainable and improved production of carotenoids and pigments in a cost-effective manner. The current progress in downstream processing strategies has augmented the extraction and purification of MDCPs at an industrial scale. Therefore, this chapter focuses on highlighting the biosynthesis of carotenoids and other pigments in microalgae. Further, elaborating the production strategies based on commercially versatile cultivation systems and viable strategies for their enhanced production systems. Also, a few technological glitches and recent achievements in the production of MDCPs are covered. Finally, an overview of the recent approaches to downstream processing and diverse applications of MDCPs in the nutraceutical, food, dairy, and poultry industry are discussed. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.