636
B. de Souza Fonseca et al.
Therefore, this group may assume prokaryotic or eukaryotic species or may be
divided in relation to their life cycles. They are the main members of phytoplankton
and can be found individually or in colonies capable of reaching large dimensions
(Giordano et al. 2005).
This group of organisms is considered fundamental to the maintenance of life on
earth since they participate, together with aquatic macrophytes, to produce most of
the O 2 in the atmosphere. That is, about 60% of the primary oxygen production on the
planet is carried out by microalgae (Chisti 2007). Likewise, these microorganisms
are thought to together produce more O 2 than all other existing plants (Schmitz et al.
2012).
For the most part, microalgae biomass is composed of pigments, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. In this context, the presence of photosynthetic pigments
in microalgae can be highlighted. These elements enable microalgae to perform
oxygenic photosynthesis, and their systematic characterization involves the consideration of a series of criteria (Hoek et al. 1995; Eichhorn et al. 2001), as is the case
with lighting conditions. Consequently, microalgae are often distinguished according
to their pigmentation (Schmitz et al. 2012).
The use of microalgae in the context of feeding is important, since these beings
produce several substances, such as vitamins, minerals, pigments, lipids, and fatty
acids. In addition, most microalgae species are of interest for the production of
pigments, proteins, lipids, and bioenergy. The concentration of these microalgae is
distributed in the Eubacteria and Eukarya kingdoms, especially within the cyanophyte
and chlorophyte groups (Lee 2011).
26.2 Microalgal Pigments
Because they present photosynthetic characteristics, microalgae have the capacity
to produce elements with coloring properties. Pigments are chemical compounds
that absorb radiation in the visible zone (Sampaio and Cruz 2014). These elements
present different combinations according to the lighting conditions and the class of
microalgae.
Several studies have shown that pigments have a great potential for application
in several segments of the food industry—essentially in food production—and in
the pharmaceutical field (Lourenço 2006). In addition, algal pigments are known for
their potent antioxidant activities and are considered important nutraceuticals.
A wide variety of pigments can be found in microalgae biomass. Among the
possible combinations, three fundamental types can be distinguished: carotenoids,
chlorophylls, and phycobilins. The characteristics of this group of pigments are
summarized in Table 26.1.
It is understood from Table 26.1 that different pigments may assume different
categories according to a specific illumination condition. These characteristics are
conditioned by the natural color of the microalgae, and the spectrum can be varied
from greenish to orange or red in drastic conditions (Rangel 2000). Thus, the pigments
B. de Souza Fonseca et al.
Therefore, this group may assume prokaryotic or eukaryotic species or may be
divided in relation to their life cycles. They are the main members of phytoplankton
and can be found individually or in colonies capable of reaching large dimensions
(Giordano et al. 2005).
This group of organisms is considered fundamental to the maintenance of life on
earth since they participate, together with aquatic macrophytes, to produce most of
the O 2 in the atmosphere. That is, about 60% of the primary oxygen production on the
planet is carried out by microalgae (Chisti 2007). Likewise, these microorganisms
are thought to together produce more O 2 than all other existing plants (Schmitz et al.
2012).
For the most part, microalgae biomass is composed of pigments, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. In this context, the presence of photosynthetic pigments
in microalgae can be highlighted. These elements enable microalgae to perform
oxygenic photosynthesis, and their systematic characterization involves the consideration of a series of criteria (Hoek et al. 1995; Eichhorn et al. 2001), as is the case
with lighting conditions. Consequently, microalgae are often distinguished according
to their pigmentation (Schmitz et al. 2012).
The use of microalgae in the context of feeding is important, since these beings
produce several substances, such as vitamins, minerals, pigments, lipids, and fatty
acids. In addition, most microalgae species are of interest for the production of
pigments, proteins, lipids, and bioenergy. The concentration of these microalgae is
distributed in the Eubacteria and Eukarya kingdoms, especially within the cyanophyte
and chlorophyte groups (Lee 2011).
26.2 Microalgal Pigments
Because they present photosynthetic characteristics, microalgae have the capacity
to produce elements with coloring properties. Pigments are chemical compounds
that absorb radiation in the visible zone (Sampaio and Cruz 2014). These elements
present different combinations according to the lighting conditions and the class of
microalgae.
Several studies have shown that pigments have a great potential for application
in several segments of the food industry—essentially in food production—and in
the pharmaceutical field (Lourenço 2006). In addition, algal pigments are known for
their potent antioxidant activities and are considered important nutraceuticals.
A wide variety of pigments can be found in microalgae biomass. Among the
possible combinations, three fundamental types can be distinguished: carotenoids,
chlorophylls, and phycobilins. The characteristics of this group of pigments are
summarized in Table 26.1.
It is understood from Table 26.1 that different pigments may assume different
categories according to a specific illumination condition. These characteristics are
conditioned by the natural color of the microalgae, and the spectrum can be varied
from greenish to orange or red in drastic conditions (Rangel 2000). Thus, the pigments