Chapter 15
Sustainability Metrics
in the Microalgae-Based Pigments
Production: A Life Cycle Assessment
Approach
Mariany C. Deprá, Aline M. dos Santos, and Eduardo Jacob-Lopes
Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to provide a comparative life cycle assessment with a focus on the establishment of energy resource, global warming potential,
land use, acidification potential, water footprint, eutrophication potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, ozone depletion potential, and ecotoxicity of the
current production scenarios of synthetic and microalgae-based pigments. Although
the functionality of the microalgae-based pigments are greater and the commercial production is practicable, the environmental impacts for these natural pigments
output are higher compared to the synthetic pigments.
Keywords Microalgae · Natural colorants · β-carotene · Astaxanthin ·
Phycocyanin
15.1 Introduction
The global pigments market is poised to grow with a compound annual growth rate
of around 5.1% over the next decade to reach approximately $1.95 billion by 2025
(Markets and Markets 2019). Currently, chemical synthesis is the dominant route for
the production of pigments, with 55% of the global market mastered by two main
chemical manufacturers BASF and DSM (Deinove 2019).
Changes in legislation regarding the use of synthetic dyes and increasing consumer
awareness of the health benefits associated with natural food colors are increasing the
demand for natural products, making synthetic routes less desirable, which justifies
the considerable efforts that is being paid on the promotion of biotechnological
alternatives with environmentally friendly production systems (Grand View 2019;
Pérez-López et al. 2014a).
M. C. Deprá · A. M. dos Santos · E. Jacob-Lopes (B)
Food Science and Technology Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima
Avenue 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
e-mail: ejacoblopes@gmail.com
© 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_15
363
Sustainability Metrics
in the Microalgae-Based Pigments
Production: A Life Cycle Assessment
Approach
Mariany C. Deprá, Aline M. dos Santos, and Eduardo Jacob-Lopes
Abstract The purpose of this chapter is to provide a comparative life cycle assessment with a focus on the establishment of energy resource, global warming potential,
land use, acidification potential, water footprint, eutrophication potential, photochemical ozone creation potential, ozone depletion potential, and ecotoxicity of the
current production scenarios of synthetic and microalgae-based pigments. Although
the functionality of the microalgae-based pigments are greater and the commercial production is practicable, the environmental impacts for these natural pigments
output are higher compared to the synthetic pigments.
Keywords Microalgae · Natural colorants · β-carotene · Astaxanthin ·
Phycocyanin
15.1 Introduction
The global pigments market is poised to grow with a compound annual growth rate
of around 5.1% over the next decade to reach approximately $1.95 billion by 2025
(Markets and Markets 2019). Currently, chemical synthesis is the dominant route for
the production of pigments, with 55% of the global market mastered by two main
chemical manufacturers BASF and DSM (Deinove 2019).
Changes in legislation regarding the use of synthetic dyes and increasing consumer
awareness of the health benefits associated with natural food colors are increasing the
demand for natural products, making synthetic routes less desirable, which justifies
the considerable efforts that is being paid on the promotion of biotechnological
alternatives with environmentally friendly production systems (Grand View 2019;
Pérez-López et al. 2014a).
M. C. Deprá · A. M. dos Santos · E. Jacob-Lopes (B)
Food Science and Technology Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, UFSM, Roraima
Avenue 1000, 97105-900 Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
e-mail: ejacoblopes@gmail.com
© 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_15
363