Advancement of carotenogenesis of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis: Recent insight and way forward

• Main Authors: Wilawan, Busakorn, Chan, Sook Sin, Ling, Tau Chuan, Show, Pau Loke, Ng, Eng-Poh, Jonglertjunya, Woranart, Phadungbut, Poomiwat, Khoo, Kuan Shiong
• Format: Article
• Published: Springernature 2024
• Subjects: QH301 Biology; TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/46049/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

The demand for astaxanthin has been increasing for many health applications ranging from pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and aquaculture due to its bioactive properties. Haematococcus pluvialis is widely recognized as the microalgae species with the highest natural accumulation of astaxanthin, which has made it a valuable source for industrial production. Astaxanthin produced by other sources such as chemical synthesis or fermentation are often produced in the cis configuration, which has been shown to have lower bioactivity. Additionally, some sources of astaxanthin, such as shrimp, may denature or degrade when exposed to high temperatures, which can result in a loss of bioactivity. Producing natural astaxanthin through the cultivation of H. pluvialis is presently a demanding and time-consuming task, which incurs high expenses and restricts the cost-effective industrial production of this valuable substance. The production of astaxanthin occurs through two distinct pathways, namely the cytosolic mevalonate pathway and the chloroplast methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. The latest advancements in enhancing product quality and extracting techniques at a reasonable cost are emphasized in this review. The comparative of specific extraction processes of H. pluvialis biological astaxanthin production that may be applied to large-scale industries were assessed. The article covers a contemporary approach to optimizing microalgae culture for increased astaxanthin content, as well as obtaining preliminary data on the sustainability of astaxanthin production and astaxanthin marketing information.