Microalgae Xanthophylls: From Biosynthesis Pathway and Production Techniques to Encapsulation Development
Slim Smaoui,
Mohamed Barkallah,
Hajer Ben Hlima,
Imen Fendri,
Amin Mousavi Khaneghah,
Philippe Michaud,
Slim Abdelkafi
Affiliations
Slim Smaoui
Laboratoire de Microorganismes et de Biomolécules, Centre de Biotechnologie de Sfax, Route Sidi Mansour Km 6 B.P. 117, Sfax 3018, Tunisia
Mohamed Barkallah
Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Hajer Ben Hlima
Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Imen Fendri
Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale Appliquée à l’Amélioration des Cultures, Faculté des Sciences de Sfax, Université de Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Amin Mousavi Khaneghah
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas 13083-862, SP, Brazil
Laboratoire de Génie Enzymatique et Microbiologie, Equipe de Biotechnologie des Algues, Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Sfax, Université de Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
In the last 20 years, xanthophylls from microalgae have gained increased scientific and industrial interests. This review highlights the essential issues that concern this class of high value compounds. Firstly, their chemical diversity as the producer microorganisms was detailed. Then, the use of conventional and innovative extraction techniques was discussed. Upgraded knowledge on the biosynthetic pathway of the main xanthophylls produced by photosynthetic microorganisms was reviewed in depth, providing new insightful ideas, clarifying the function of these active biomolecules. In addition, the recent advances in encapsulation techniques of astaxanthin and fucoxanthin, such as spray and freeze drying, gelation, emulsification and coacervation were updated. Providing information about these topics and their applications and advances could be a help to students and young researchers who are interested in chemical and metabolic engineering, chemistry and natural products communities to approach the complex thematic of xanthophylls.
