Algae Carotenoid Pigments as New Sources of Halal Bioactive Ingredients

Abstract

Halal Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) is a substance used in a finished pharmaceutical product, intended to furnish pharmacological activity or contribute direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. It also provides a direct effect in restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions in human beings. Microalgae, which are single-celled microorganisms, are considered to be a rich source of diverse bioactive molecules. They play a vital role in the aquatic food chain as primary producers and can store complex organic compounds in their bodies, which can be released with the help of sunlight. Microalgae have evolved distinctive metabolic pathways, resulting in the production of remarkable secondary metabolites and unique structures that differ from those found in superior plants. Due to the high structural diversity of pigments, microalgae have the potential to produce pharmacologically valuable compounds, making them a promising source of bioactive molecules. This study aimed to examine the carotenoids pigmentation profiling from selected microalgae species subjected to different culture conditions. The methods involve are microalgae cell culture mass production, carotenoid sample extraction and HPLC analysis. The findings revealed that the composition and amount of carotenoids differ according to the microalgae species. Genetic factors appear to be a crucial factor in categorizing these species based on their individual carotenoids accumulation. In short, selecting the appropriate species with the ability to accumulate carotenoids is important in determining the sources of pigments for halal bioactive ingredients or for commercial purposes, particularly in the halal market.