Chapter 11
Microalgae-Based Processes for Pigments
Production
Mariana Manzoni Maroneze, Rosangela Rodrigues Dias,
Ihana Aguiar Severo, and Maria Isabel Queiroz
Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the microalgaebased processes for pigment production, especially astaxanthin, β-carotene, and Cphycocyanin. At first, chemistry and biochemistry will be described for a better
understanding of pigment’s production in the microalgae cells, focusing on the factors
influencing the synthesis. Besides this, the upstream and downstream processing
operations involved in the production process of the pigments in question will be
reviewed in their main aspects. Finally, the main production systems (raceways,
extensive unmixed lagoons, and tubular photobioreactors) used in the production of
carotenoids and phycocyanin will be presented and discussed in the chapter.
Keywords Astaxanthin · B-carotene · C-phycocyanin · Cultivation systems
11.1 Introduction
Microalgae are prokaryotic and eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms adapted
to live in very different environments and showing an enormous biochemical and
genetic diversity (Riccio and Lauritano 2019). Thus, they represent an excellent
source of new bioproducts with potential applications in several biotechnological
sectors, being one of the most promising paths for the supply of next-generation
foods, feeds, and biofuels. At the same time, it can be integrated with environmental
management processes such as CO 2 capture and recycling of nutrients in wastewater
(Barros et al. 2019).
Microalgal biomass has a wide range of products that can be explored due to
its content of lipids, pigments, carbohydrates, minerals, enzymes, and vitamins.
M. M. Maroneze (B) · R. R. Dias · I. A. Severo
Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Roraima
Avenue, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
e-mail: mariana_maroneze@hotmail.com
M. I. Queiroz
School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande, Itália Avenue, 96201-900 Rio
Grande, RS, Brazil
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
E. Jacob-Lopes et al. (eds.), Pigments from Microalgae Handbook,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50971-2_11
241
Microalgae-Based Processes for Pigments
Production
Mariana Manzoni Maroneze, Rosangela Rodrigues Dias,
Ihana Aguiar Severo, and Maria Isabel Queiroz
Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the microalgaebased processes for pigment production, especially astaxanthin, β-carotene, and Cphycocyanin. At first, chemistry and biochemistry will be described for a better
understanding of pigment’s production in the microalgae cells, focusing on the factors
influencing the synthesis. Besides this, the upstream and downstream processing
operations involved in the production process of the pigments in question will be
reviewed in their main aspects. Finally, the main production systems (raceways,
extensive unmixed lagoons, and tubular photobioreactors) used in the production of
carotenoids and phycocyanin will be presented and discussed in the chapter.
Keywords Astaxanthin · B-carotene · C-phycocyanin · Cultivation systems
11.1 Introduction
Microalgae are prokaryotic and eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms adapted
to live in very different environments and showing an enormous biochemical and
genetic diversity (Riccio and Lauritano 2019). Thus, they represent an excellent
source of new bioproducts with potential applications in several biotechnological
sectors, being one of the most promising paths for the supply of next-generation
foods, feeds, and biofuels. At the same time, it can be integrated with environmental
management processes such as CO 2 capture and recycling of nutrients in wastewater
(Barros et al. 2019).
Microalgal biomass has a wide range of products that can be explored due to
its content of lipids, pigments, carbohydrates, minerals, enzymes, and vitamins.
M. M. Maroneze (B) · R. R. Dias · I. A. Severo
Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Roraima
Avenue, 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
e-mail: mariana_maroneze@hotmail.com
M. I. Queiroz
School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande, Itália Avenue, 96201-900 Rio
Grande, RS, Brazil
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
E. Jacob-Lopes et al. (eds.), Pigments from Microalgae Handbook,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-50971-2_11
241