Abstract
Lutein is particularly known to help maintain normal visual function by absorbing and attenuating the blue light that strikes the retina in our eyes. The effect of overexposure to blue light on our eyes due to the excessive use of electronic devices is becoming an issue of modern society due to insufficient dietary lutein consumption through our normal diet. There has, therefore, been an increasing demand for lutein-containing dietary supplements and also in the food industry for lutein supplementation in bakery products, infant formulas, dairy products, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and juice concentrates. Although synthetic carotenoid dominates the market, there is a need for environmentally sustainable carotenoids including lutein production pathways to match increasing consumer demand for natural alternatives. Currently, marigold flowers are the predominant natural source of lutein. Microalgae can be a competitive sustainable alternative, which have higher growth rates and do not require arable land and/or a growth season. Currently, there is no commercial production of lutein from microalgae, even though astaxanthin and β-carotene are commercially produced from specific microalgal strains. This review discusses the potential microalgae strains for commercial lutein production, appropriate cultivation strategies, and the challenges associated with realising a commercial market share.
Highlights
Microalgae are photosynthetic microscopic organisms that possess several accessory light-harvesting carotenoid pigment molecules such as astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene, which have commercial value
Proceed from the methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway in Dunaliella salina, Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus sp. [18], and Lutein biosynthesis in microalgae begins in the MEP pathway (Figure 2) through the 5-carbon
Marigold meets the global demand for lutein to some extent, there is still a huge opportunity to contribute to the global demand for natural lutein
Summary
Microalgae are photosynthetic microscopic organisms that possess several accessory light-harvesting carotenoid pigment molecules such as astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-carotene, which have commercial value. Lutein is found to accumulate in the macula of the eye, acting as a light filter protecting cells against free radical damage, and has been implicated in ameliorating the damaging effects of macular degenerative disease in ageing adults [3]. These health-promoting effects of lutein as well as its potential as a natural food colourant have led to increased investigations on the potential of lutein as a high-value nutraceutical functional food ingredient. In supplement products as well as for extraction of blue food colourant phycocyanin, Chlorella vulgaris biomass for health supplement products, and Dunaliella salina and Haematococcus pluvialis for commercial production of natural carotenoids such as β-carotene and astaxanthin [9]
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