14 The Bioeconomy of Production of Microalgal Pigments
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carotenoids, phycobiliproteins, astaxanthin, and xanthophyll from microalgae are
gaining importance in numerous cosmetic, food, and textile industries (Dufossé
et al. 2005). Thus, this chapter gives a summary of microalgal pigment production
and profiles high-value products that are obtained from microalgal pigments. Additionally, utilization of microalgal pigments as viable ingredients in various product
formulations, recent industrial applications of natural pigments, and the future of
microalgal pigment-based economy are also discussed.
14.2 Bioeconomy Based on Microalgae
Microalgae is one of the marine organisms that are proven to have a wide economic
value. Ease in culture methods, the lesser nutrient requirement for their growth and
presence of highly valuable biomolecules makes microalgae as a profound agent
to improve bio-based economy. These microalgae are cultured commercially for
food, medicine, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, energy, and other industries as displayed
in Fig. 14.1, that depend on microalgae for their growth and economic development.
Fig. 14.1 Bioeconomy based on microalgae