Harnessing nature's palette: Exploring photosynthetic pigments for sustainable biotechnology.

Maria A M Reis, João Carvalho, Raquel Lebrero, Roxana Ángeles, Ingrid Hernández-Martínez, Marcia Morales-Ibarría, Joana C Fradinho

Journal: New biotechnology 2025;85():84-102

PMID: 39788285

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Abstract

Photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria, microalgae, and anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (APB) have emerged as sustainable and economic biotechnology platforms due to their ability to transform energy from light into chemicals through photosynthesis. The light is absorbed by photosynthetic pigment-protein antenna complexes which are composed of pigments such as bacteriochlorophylls (BChl) and carotenoids in APB, and chlorophylls (Chl), phycobiliproteins (PBP), and carotenoids in cyanobacteria and microalgae. These photosynthetic pigments are essential in the physiology of photosynthetic microorganisms and offer significant health benefits due to their potent antioxidant activity, with properties that include anticancer, antiaging, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This review first provides an overview of current advances in photosynthetic pigment synthesis and the latest strategies to increase pigment content in cyanobacteria, microalgae, and APB. It then delves into the pigment production process, covering biosynthetic pathways, critical environmental parameters, and extraction methods. Finally, the potential marketability of photosynthetic pigments together with current limitations are discussed.

Address: Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal. Electronic address: [email protected].; Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal.; Doctorate in Natural Sciences and Engineering, Metropolitan Autonomous University-Cuajimalpa, Av. Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Santa Fe Cuajimalpa, Mexico 05348, Mexico.; Department of Processes and Technology. Metropolitan Autonomous University-Cuajimalpa, Av. Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Santa Fe Cuajimalpa, Mexico 05348, Mexico.; Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n, Valladolid 47011, Spain. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2025.01.001

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Free resources

Full Text Sources:

https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1871...

Miscellaneous:

https://assays.cancer.gov/CPTAC-423

Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-PEBP1-1

MeSH Terms: Biotechnology, Photosynthesis, Pigments, Biological, Microalgae, Cyanobacteria