Current developments on the application of microbial carotenoids as an alternative to synthetic pigments

Colorful Treasure From Agro-Industrial Wastes: A Sustainable Chassis for Microbial Pigment Production

“…Amidst these carotenoids, capxanthin, lutein, astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lycopene, and β-carotene have very high market demand ( Gmoser et al, 2017 ; Ramesh et al, 2019 ). The global market of carotenoids growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6% is expected to reach 2 billion dollars by 2027 ( Mussagy et al, 2021 ). However, the chemical synthesis constitutes 80–90% of carotenoids supply for the market and hence, to counter their side-effects, the microbial sources are gaining high demand ( Saini and Keum, 2019 ; Chatragadda and Dufossé, 2021 ).…”

“…However, the chemical synthesis constitutes 80–90% of carotenoids supply for the market and hence, to counter their side-effects, the microbial sources are gaining high demand ( Saini and Keum, 2019 ; Chatragadda and Dufossé, 2021 ). Though some companies such as Cyanotech (United States), Algatech (Israel), and Parry Nutraceuticals (India) have started producing carotenoids by biotechnological route, their market share is substantially smaller than synthetic producers ( Mussagy et al, 2021 ). The pathway of carotenoid biosynthesis and its regulation has been the subject of immense interest across diverse producers and is among the critical and popular targets for modulating pigment production ( Delgado-Vargas et al, 2000 ; Usmani et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Lycopene, identified as a class A nutrient by WHO (World Health Organization) and FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) is an unsaturated lipophilic isoprenoid pigment with multiple physiological functions and myriad applications especially in preventive health care ( Li L. et al, 2020 ). The global lycopene market, expanding at a CAGR of 5.0% is expected to reach 161 million dollars in 2025 from the net worth of 126 million dollars estimated in 2020 ( Mussagy et al, 2021 ). Anthocyanins are another class of important glycosylated pigments responsible for different attractive colors and majorly produced by plants as secondary metabolites.…”

“…Though synthetic petro-derived colorants have dominated the industries due to low cost and high yield, the rising concerns about their non-biodegradability, carcinogenicity, and environmental toxicity have enthused both industry and researchers to find natural and safe alternatives. In this context, natural and eco-friendly biopigments have sparked great interest due to their non-toxicity, biodegradability, non-carcinogenicity, and non-allergenicity which increases their consumer acceptance, prevents occupational health hazards while negating environmental concerns ( Pailliè-Jiménez et al, 2020 ; Aman Mohammadi et al, 2021 ; Mussagy et al, 2021 ).…”

Transcriptome sequencing and global analysis of blue light-responsive genes provide clues for high carotenoid yields in Blakeslea trispora

“…But more importantly, they have strong antioxidant effect and are bene cial to human health. Using microorganisms to produce carotenoids is an environmentally friendly strategy compared to traditional methods of chemical synthesis and direct extraction from plants (Foong et al 2021;Johnson and Schroeder 1996;Mussagy et al 2021). Blakeslea trispora, a member of Mucorales species, is featured by the sexual phase between the plus and minus mating partners among heterothallic species.…”