Microalgae pigments

Dufosse, L. et ah. Microorganisms and microalgae as sources of pigments for food use a scientific oddity or an industrial reality Trends Food Sci. Technol, 16, 389, 2005. 

Pigments from Microalgae and Microorganisms Sources of Food Colorants 401... 

FIGURE 5.4.2 Cultivation of microalgae and utilization as natural pigments. 

The microalgae are cultured in bioreactors under solar or artiflcial light in the presence of carbon dioxide and salts. The bioreactors may be closed systems made of polyethylene sleeves rather than open pools. Optimal conditions for pigment production are low to medium light intensity and medium temperatures (20 to 30°C). Pigment extraction is achieved by cell breakage, extraction into water or buffered solution, and centrifugation to separate out the filtrate. The filtrate may then be partly purified and sterilized by microfiltration and spray dried or lyophilized. 

Arad (Mails), S. and Yaron, A., Natural pigments from red microalgae for use in foods and cosmetics. Trends Food Sci. Technol., 3, 92, 1992. 

Astaxanthin is a high-value carotenoid produced from microalgae that is produced commercially. Astaxanthin is ubiquitous in nature, especially in the marine environment, and is responsible for eliciting the pinkish-red hue to the flesh of salmonids, shrimp, lobster and crayfish. Cultivation methods have been developed to produce Haematococcus containing 1.5-3.0% astaxanthin by dry weight, with potential applications as a pigment source in aquaculture, poultry feeds and in the nutraceutical area. " ... 

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