Valuable pigments from microalgae: phycobiliproteins, primary carotenoids, and fucoxanthin

Abstract

Phycobiliproteins, carotenoids and fucoxanthin are photosynthetic pigments extracted from microalgae and cyanobacteria with great potential biotechnological applications, as healthy food colorants and cosmetics. Phycocyanin possesses a brilliant blue color, with fluorescent properties making it useful as a reagent for immunological essays. The most important source of phycocyanin is the cyanobacterium Arthrospiraplatensis, however, recently, the Rhodophyta Galdieriasulphuraria has also been identified as such. The main obstacle to the commercialization of phycocyanin is represented by its chemical instability, strongly reducing its shelf-life. Moreover, the high level of purity needed for pharmaceutical applications requires several steps which increase both the production time and cost. Microalgae (Chlorella, Dunaliella, Nannochloropsis, Scenedesmus) produce several light harvesting carotenoids, and are able to manage with oxidative stress, due to their free radical scavenging properties, which makes them suitable for use as source of natural antioxidants. Many studies focused on the selection of the most promising strains producing valuable carotenoids and on their extraction and purification. Among carotenoids produced by marine microalgae, fucoxanthin is the most abundant, representing more than 10% of total carotenoids. Despite the abundance and diversity of fucoxanthin producing microalgae only a few species have been studied for commercial production, the most relevant being Phaeodactylumtricornutum. Due to its antioxidant activity, fucoxanthin can bring various potential benefits to the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. In this review, we update the main results achieved in the production, extraction, purification, and commercialization of these important pigments, motivating the cultivation of microalgae as a source of natural pigments. Graphical abstract

Effect of salinity on scytonemin yield in endolithic cyanobacteria from the Atacama Desert

“…(9.4–23.5 g DW m −2 day −1 ) 42 . Regarding the pigments’ productivity, the highest scytonemin productivity would be 0.08 g·scytonemin m −2 ·day −1 , about threefold lower than other cyanobacterial pigments with biotechnological interest as phycoerythrin and phycocyanin (2.6–2.8 g m −2 day −1 ) 38 yet this might be counteracted by the higher potential market value of scytonemin compared to phycobiliproteins 43 . When simulating the multi-system arrangements displayed over 1 hm 2 , a biomass of 37–55 kg and up to 200 g of scytonemin could be produced by Chroococcidiopsis sp.…”

Ultraviolet-screening bioproducts by endolithic cyanobacteria from the Atacama Desert: the effect of salinity in growth and scytonemin production yields

“…(9.4-23.5) 42 . Additionally, the highest scytonemin productivity would be 0.08 g•m − 2 •d − 1 , lower than other cyanobacterial pigments with biotechnological interest as phycoerythrin and phycocyanin (2.6-2.8 g m − 2 d − 1 ) 38 yet this might be counteracted by the higher potential market value of scytonemin compared to phycobiliproteins 43 . When simulating the multi-system arrangements displayed over 1 hm 2 , a biomass of 37-55 kg and up to 200 g of scytonemin could be produced by Chroococcidiopsis sp.…”

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cyanobacteria Pigment Extracts: Physiological Free Radical Scavenging and Modulation of iNOS and LOX Activity

“…The total carotenoid concentration ranged between 128.66 and 260.63 mg/g of dry extract ( Chlorophyll-a derivates (1,2,3,8), lutein (4), unidentified carotenoids (5,9,10,11,12,14,16,17), chlorophyll-a (6), zeaxanthin (7), β-cryptoxanthin (13), echinenone (15), β-carotene (18) and β-carotene derivative (19). The identified compounds comprised four xanthophylls: lutein (4), zeaxanthin (7), βcryptoxanthin (13) and echinenone (15); one carotene: β-carotene (18); and chlorophyll-a (6).…”

“…HPLC-PDA recorded at 450 nm. Chlorophyll-a derivates (1, 2, 3, 8), lutein (4), unidentified carotenoids(5,9,10,11,12,14,16,17), chlorophyll-a (6), zeaxanthin(7), β-cryptoxanthin (13), echinenone (15), β-carotene (18) and β-carotene derivative(19).…”