2025, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part C
Enhancement Techniques for Microalgal Carotenoids: A Review
Author(s): Parminder Kaur Narang and Madhu
Abstract: Carotenoids are a diverse group of naturally occurring pigments having significant biological and industrial importance. However, the commercial supply of these pigments still remains dominated by synthetic forms that lack the bioefficacy of natural counterparts. Microalgae have emerged as promising and a sustainable source of natural carotenoids. Their rapid growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and adaptability to variable environments makes them more beneficial to culture and extract carotenoids. This review highlights the recent advances in the microalgal carotenoid production. It focuses on the cultivation systems, stress-induced biosynthesis, and genetic engineering strategies to enhance the yield and quality of the carotenoids. Open pond and photobioreactor (PBR) systems are the two principal cultivation methods, each with distinct advantages and limitations regarding cost, scalability, and contamination control. Hybrid systems integrating both approaches show superior productivity and improved stability. Carotenoid accumulation in microalgae is influenced by several abiotic and biotic factors, including light intensity, temperature, nutrient availability, metal ions, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, two-stage cultivation, mutagenesis, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE), and metabolic and genetic engineering approaches have proved to be effective in augmenting carotenoid synthesis. Recent breakthroughs such as CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, transcriptional engineering, and co-culture techniques offer novel routes to optimize metabolic pathways for high-value pigment production. Thus together, these integrated biotechnological and cultivation strategies can pave the way forward. The focus would be on producing natural carotenoids from microalgae in a sustainable, large-scale, and economical manner for use in bioindustrial, medicinal, and nutraceutical applications.
DOI: 10.33545/27080013.2025.v6.i2c.256
Pages: 209-218 | Views: 285 | Downloads: 78
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How to cite this article:
Parminder Kaur Narang, Madhu. Enhancement Techniques for Microalgal Carotenoids: A Review. Acta Entomol Zool 2025;6(2):209-218. DOI: 10.33545/27080013.2025.v6.i2c.256
