Biotechnological Potential of Carotenoids Produced by Extremophilic Microorganisms and Application Prospects for the Cosmetics Industry

Abstract

Carotenoids are isoprenoid pigments used in food, chemical, textile, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. They act not only as dyes and provitamins A but also have antioxidants, photoprotective, antimicrobial properties, among others. This class of pigment can be obtained traditionally by plants or chemical synthesis, but they have some disadvantages. In recent years, search for alternative sources has been an important strategy for the carotenoid industries. Microbial synthesis is an alternative that has shown good yields, speed, and reduced production costs. Hostile environments, such as the Caatinga domain, represent an interesting source of microorganisms that produce biomolecules, especially carotenoids, because of oxidative stress caused by sunlight. Thus, this region has been attracting the attention of the scientific community and industry for the use of these organisms in the production of carotenoids and applications in cosmetic products; since these compounds have interesting antioxidant and photoprotective properties. In this review, general characteristics of carotenoids, sources of production, industrial applicability, and commercialization will be discussed, as well as perspectives on the production of carotenoids from microorganisms isolated from the Caatinga and their application in anti-UV products.

Uses of carotenoid-rich ingredients to design functional foods: a review

“…When exposed to various circumstances (e.g., light, heat, oxygen), carotenoids degrade, resulting in a loss of benefits, change in physical properties (Figure 3) and prohibition of usage in food products (Mendes-Silva et al, 2020). Their hydrophobicity makes it harder to incorporate them into water-based diets.…”

Perspectives on the microorganism of extreme environments and their applications

“…MAAs, are produced by lichens, fungi, and cyanobacteria when exposed to UV radiation, are extremely stable at high pH and temperatures, and are primarily used as a natural bioactive ingredient in cosmetic products ( Corinaldesi et al., 2017 ). While they offer proper protection from UVA radiation, they offer relatively less protection against UVB radiation ( Geraldes and Pinto, 2021 ; Singh et al., 2021 ) Some studies show that they provide minimal protection against UV A and UV B because of the addition of substances with antioxidant properties is essential in the production of sunscreens as the synthetic UV filters in them absorb the photons rather than reflecting them the synthetic UV filters in sunscreens absorb the photons rather than reflecting them ( Corinaldesi et al., 2017 ; Mendes-Silva et al., 2020 ). The synthesis of carotenoid pigments and other metabolites (lycopene, astaxanthin, etc.…”

“…), are examples of the biochemical adaptations of extremophiles that help them survive and thrive in extreme conditions as well as make them preferable alternatives to conventional products. Carotenoids have anti-UV properties and act as natural antioxidants that help in reducing the production of free radicals and, by extension, reduce the skin's photodamage ( Mendes-Silva et al., 2020 ). Some halophiles like D. salina are excellent sources of β-carotene ( Lafarga et al., 2021 ).…”

Antioxidantes producidos por microorganismos acuáticos y terrestres con uso potencial en cosméticos

“…Los microorganismos son una amplia fuente de nuevas sustancias químicas que representan un valioso recurso para innovar en biotecnología (Mendes-Silva et al, 2020). Aunque por la accesibilidad se han investigado y utilizado con mayor frecuencia los microorganismos terrestres y de ecosistemas de agua dulce, los organismos que presentan mayor ventaja en la producción de metabolitos son los que habitan en ecosistemas marinos (Hamidi et al, 2020), debido a la enorme diversidad biológica y capacidad para sintetizar metabolitos secundarios bioactivos (Pedroso et al, 2019).…”

“…Varios fenómenos externos como la contaminación ambiental, la radiación UV, la luz azul, la concentración elevada de oxígeno y la acción de sustancias químicas provocan daños en el organismo humano debido a su elevada producción de radicales libres (RLs) como especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS), siendo la piel el órgano más afectado (Sakthivel y Devi, 2019). Para disminuir los efectos dañinos de los RLs como el cáncer de piel, el envejecimiento prematuro de la piel, la disminución de la respuesta inmune, la pérdida de elasticidad o la perdida de pigmentación, las industrias cosméticas han incorporado antioxidantes y filtros solares, como coadyuvantes en sus productos (Mendes-Silva et al, 2020).…”