Life Cycle Assessment of Bacterial, Algal, and Synthetic Approaches for Astaxanthin Production at a Laboratory Scale: Comparative Environmental Analysis and Sensitivity of Energy Sources

Abstract

Astaxanthin, a highly valuable natural pigment with potent antioxidant properties, is widely used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The demand for astaxanthin has led to the development of multiple production methods, including algal, bacterial, and synthetic approaches. Understanding the environmental implications of these production processes is crucial for sustainable decision-making in the astaxanthin industry. This research paper presents a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing the environmental impacts of algal, bacterial, and synthetic astaxanthin production methods. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is conducted, focusing on the source of energy used during production, and the shift from conventional to renewable energy sources is explored. The environmental importance of natural astaxanthin production is highlighted, considering the potential benefits of reducing dependence on synthetic production methods that rely on non-renewable resources. The results of the LCA, for the production of 1 g astaxanthin, reveal the relative environmental performance of each production process, identifying hotspots and potential areas for improvement. On average, the environmental impacts indicate that chemical synthesis is the best solution for the production of the pigment, followed by the bacterial extraction process and lastly by algae extraction. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis demonstrates the significant influence of energy sources on the overall environmental footprint. Shifting towards renewable energy sources presents an opportunity for mitigating environmental impacts and enhancing the sustainability of astaxanthin production.