title: Biotechnological production of value-added carotenoids from microalgae: Emerging technology and prospects.
abstract: We recently evaluated the relationship between abiotic environmental stresses and lutein biosynthesis in the green microalga Dunaliella salina and suggested a rational design of stress-driven adaptive evolution experiments for carotenoids production in microalgae. Here, we summarize our recent findings regarding the biotechnological production of carotenoids from microalgae and outline emerging technology in this field. Carotenoid metabolic pathways are characterized in several representative algal species as they pave the way for biotechnology development. The adaptive evolution strategy is highlighted in connection with enhanced growth rate and carotenoid metabolism. In addition, available genetic modification tools are described, with emphasis on model species. A brief discussion on the role of lights as limiting factors in carotenoid production in microalgae is also included. Overall, our analysis suggests that light-driven metabolism and the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae in photobioreactors are the main bottlenecks in enhancing biotechnological potential of carotenoid production from microalgae.
authors.affiliation: Center for Systems Biology; University of Iceland; Reykjavík, Iceland.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wichuk
authors.affiliation: Center for Systems Biology; University of Iceland; Reykjavík, Iceland; Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science; University of Iceland; Reykjavík, Iceland.
authors.forename: Sigurður
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brynjólfsson
authors.affiliation: Center for Systems Biology; University of Iceland; Reykjavík, Iceland.
authors.forename: Weiqi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000528:radiation effects; D019149:Bioreactors; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008027:Light; D060847:Metabolic Engineering; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002338:Carotenoids
keywords: Dunaliella salina; LED-based photobioreactors; adaptive laboratory evolution; carotenoid metabolism; environmental stress; microalgae