Cited by 302Algal biology and biofuel productionPlant biochemistry and biosynthesisMicrobial Metabolism and Applications

Phototrophic pigment production with microalgae: biological constraints and opportunities

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Mulders, Kim J. M., Lamers, Packo P., Martens, Dirk E., Wijffels, René H.·2014·Journal of Phycology

Abstract

There is increasing interest in naturally produced colorants, and microalgae represent a bio‐technologically interesting source due to their wide range of colored pigments, including chlorophylls (green), carotenoids (red, orange and yellow), and phycobiliproteins (red and blue). However, the concentration of these pigments, under optimal growth conditions, is often too low to make microalgal‐based pigment production economically feasible. In some C hlorophyta (green algae), specific process conditions such as oversaturating light intensities or a high salt concentration induce the overproduction of secondary carotenoids (β‐carotene in Dunaliella salina (D unal) T eodoresco and astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis (F lotow)). Overproduction of all other pigments (including lutein, fucoxanthin, and phycocyanin) requires modification in gene expression or enzyme activity, most likely combined with the creation of storage space outside of the photosystems. The success of such modification strategies depends on an adequate understanding of the metabolic pathways and the functional roles of all the pigments involved. In this review, the distribution of commercially interesting pigments across the most common microalgal groups, the roles of these pigments in vivo and their biosynthesis routes are reviewed, and constraints and opportunities for overproduction of both primary and secondary pigments are presented.

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Crossref · 10.1111/jpy.12173

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Authors
Mulders, K. J. M., Lamers, P. P., Martens, D. E., & Wijffels, R. H.
Affiliations
  • FeyeCon (Netherlands) (NL)
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Corresponding author
Mulders, Kim J. M.
Venue
Journal of Phycology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2014-03-15
Volume
50
Issue
2
Pages
229-242
ISSN
  • 0022-3646 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-8817
OpenAlex
W2010372037
Cited by
302
References
101
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 6
FWCI
0.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Phycology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • FeyeCon D&I
  • NL Agency
  • Ministry of Economic Affairs (FND09014)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biotechnology › Microbial Metabolism and Applications
Keywords
microalgae, chlorophyll, carotenoids, phycobiliproteins, Dunaliella salina, Haematococcus pluvialis, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, phycocyanin, fucoxanthin, lutein, pigment synthesis, light saturation, salt stress, Chlorophyta, natural colorants

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