Trends in the Promising Functional Pigment, Phycocyanobilin: Preparation, Health Benefits, and Utilization

Production, Purification, and Stabilization of Phycocyanin: Optimizing Laboratory Processes and Expanding Industrial Applications.

BACKGROUND Phycocyanin (PC), a vibrant blue accessory pigment-protein complex predominantly occurring in cyanobacteria, Rhodophyceae, and some cryptophytes, is a key nutritional component contributing to the commercial value of Spirulina as a food supplement. Beyond its nutritional value, PC has distinctive fluorescent properties and diverse physiological activities, giving it broad potential in food, cosmetics, and biomedicine. SUMMARY This study discusses the factors restricting PC yield and comprehensively summarizes PC extraction and purification technologies. The advantages and disadvantages of each technology are compared, and its application prospects in laboratory and industrial production are explored. Natural deep eutectic solvents, which are solvent systems formed from naturally occurring cellular metabolites such as sugars, amino acids, and organic acids, offer safety, simple preparation, low cost, and promising prospects for PC purification compared with several conventional technologies. However, the application scope of PC remains limited by its poor stability and sensitivity to temperature, light, and pH. Therefore, this review also discusses the factors affecting PC stability, strategies for improving stability, and applications of PC in food, healthcare products, and related fields. KEY MESSAGES This comprehensive review and critical assessment of production, purification, and stabilization strategies provides valuable insights for advancing PC research and facilitating its broader, more sustainable utilization across diverse industrial sectors.

Fucoxanthin Bioproduction from Marine Diatoms: Regulatory Strategies and Industrial Potential of Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Odontella aurita—A Review

A side-by-side benchmark of these two marine diatoms is provided, offering a data-driven reference for process development and industrial deployment of microalgae-derived fucoxanthin, and high-yield induction methods from the dimensions of nutrient regulation, light optimization, exogenous induction, and strain improvement are summarized.

Chilli Oleoresin: A Review of Phytochemistry, Green Extraction Technologies, Biological Activities and Industrial Applications

Unraveling the multifaceted applications of Spirulina: a comprehensive review

Isolation and Characterization of a Naturally Occurring Brevundimonas vesicularis Strain Exhibiting High Phytoene Accumulation

Phytoene, a colorless precursor of carotenoids, has attracted increasing attention because of its favorable bioavailability, antioxidant activity, and potential applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and animal nutrition. However, its industrial utilization remains limited by low natural abundance and the dependence of current production strategies on genetic engineering or metabolic pathway manipulation. In this study, we identified and characterized a naturally occurring Brevundimonas vesicularis strain (Bv-xms2024) exhibiting pronounced phytoene accumulation without genetic modification. The strain was comprehensively characterized using morphological, biochemical, molecular, genomic, metabolomic, and transcriptional analyses. Quantitative LC–MS/MS analysis demonstrated that Bv-xms2024 accumulated phytoene to 420.42 ± 98.11 μg/g dry biomass after 96 h of cultivation, substantially exceeding the levels of downstream carotenoids, including β-carotene and astaxanthin. Optimization of cultivation parameters identified 25 °C, pH 7.0, and 96 h as the optimal conditions for phytoene accumulation, while serial passaging confirmed stable production over 20 generations. Genome annotation identified the carotenoid biosynthetic gene repertoire, while RT-qPCR analysis revealed a temporal shift from early upregulation of crtE and crtB to later upregulation of downstream pathway genes, consistent with the observed phytoene-dominant carotenoid profile. Short-term tolerance evaluations in mice and chickens revealed no observable adverse effects under the tested conditions. Collectively, these findings identify Bv-xms2024 as a promising natural microbial resource for phytoene production and provide a basis for further process development and strain-level safety evaluation.

Astaxanthin in Food Systems: From Natural Sources and Stability Challenges to Emerging Functional Applications

Astaxanthin is a high-value xanthophyll carotenoid known for its antioxidant activity and potential health benefits that is becoming increasingly important in food, nutraceutical, and health-related applications. In recent years, growing interest in natural bioactive compounds has driven research on astaxanthin sources, bioactivity, functional properties, and its applications in food, nutraceutical, and health-related subjects. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the natural sources, extraction methods, stability, biological activities, and food applications of astaxanthin, with particular attention to challenges and opportunities relevant to food systems. The review discusses a food science-oriented perspective that connects molecular properties and biological functionality with processing stability, formulation strategies, and regulatory considerations. Special emphasis is given to emerging extraction and encapsulation methods, interactions with complex food matrices, and technological limitations affecting bioavailability and consumer acceptance. The review also highlights recent advances in sustainable production, valorization of marine by-products, and the potential role of astaxanthin in personalized nutrition and precision health frameworks. These approaches contribute to circular food systems by reducing food-processing waste, replacing synthetic antioxidants with natural alternatives, and supporting more resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable food production.