Chapter 3 - Astaxanthin from Chromochloris zofingiensis: Feasibility analysis

Abstract

Algae-based astaxanthin is a valuable red keto-carotenoid with multiple biofunctions and widely applied in healthy food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industry with fast-growing demands in global market. However, the present cost of natural astaxanthin production from microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is still relatively high. The unique green microalga Chromochloris zofingiensis has been regarded as an alternative astaxanthin producer over other microalgae, which are mainly due to its promising capability of fast growing under heterotrophic and mixotrophic conditions for astaxanthin production with other value-added bioactive compounds beyond. This review will provide a full summary in recent advances on biotechnological production of astaxanthin and other valuable metabolites by C. zofingiensis in different systems as well as the benefits and limitations of C. zofingiensis as the astaxanthin producer. Based on the collation of recent literature and patents, we will present the novel strategies of improving the cultivation process and potential metabolic engineering for enhancing astaxanthin biosynthesis in C. zofingiensis. Future prospects of C. zofingiensis-based microalgal biorefinery are also discussed, which will focus on the evaluation of the potential and feasibility of replacing other producers for low-cost astaxanthin production. In conclusion the current reports will demonstrate that C. zofingiensis is a promising alternative producer for the cost-competitive production of natural astaxanthin. New insights into integrated microalgal biorefinery for economically commercial production of astaxanthin in the near future will be present finally.