Carotenoid Yeasts and Their Application Potential

Carotenoids are part of a diverse group of isoprenoid compounds. Due to the many properties they possess, they may become an alternative to synthetic additives in various industrial sectors. The increase in consumer demand and awareness determines research into extracting them from plants, algae and...

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Main Authors: Ewa Kulczyk-Małysa, Elżbieta Bogusławska-Wąs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1866
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author Ewa Kulczyk-Małysa
Elżbieta Bogusławska-Wąs
author_facet Ewa Kulczyk-Małysa
Elżbieta Bogusławska-Wąs
author_sort Ewa Kulczyk-Małysa
collection DOAJ
description Carotenoids are part of a diverse group of isoprenoid compounds. Due to the many properties they possess, they may become an alternative to synthetic additives in various industrial sectors. The increase in consumer demand and awareness determines research into extracting them from plants, algae and microorganisms. The extraction of carotenoids from plants is an inefficient method and generates additional production costs. On the other hand, the carotenoid potential of microorganisms, especially among yeasts, has not been fully exploited. The diversity of yeast species and strains influences the extraction of many fractions of carotenoids, including the less known ones such as thorulene and tholuradine. The developed adaptability of yeast enables the optimisation of their culture, which facilitates the understanding of their metabolic pathways. At the same time, the coordination of carotenoid and lipid synthesis may prevent their degradation or the loss of their bioactive properties. Application research has been conducted mainly in the feed industry, where their colouring and antimicrobial or immunomodulating properties are used. In the medical and pharmaceutical fields, there is not much research due to safety restrictions and the necessity of the high purity of the fractions. This review also highlights the overlooked aspect of carotenoids’ biodegradability, which is required to exploit the bioactive properties of microbial carotenoids.
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spelling doaj-art-dfb2f311ce5f4bcfac7e5bdf2d81a49f2025-08-20T03:46:50ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-05-011411186610.3390/foods14111866Carotenoid Yeasts and Their Application PotentialEwa Kulczyk-Małysa0Elżbieta Bogusławska-Wąs1Department of Applied Microbiology and Human Nutrition Physiology, Faculty of Food Sciences and Fisheries, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Papieża Pawła VI 3, 71-459 Szczecin, PolandDepartment of Applied Microbiology and Human Nutrition Physiology, Faculty of Food Sciences and Fisheries, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Papieża Pawła VI 3, 71-459 Szczecin, PolandCarotenoids are part of a diverse group of isoprenoid compounds. Due to the many properties they possess, they may become an alternative to synthetic additives in various industrial sectors. The increase in consumer demand and awareness determines research into extracting them from plants, algae and microorganisms. The extraction of carotenoids from plants is an inefficient method and generates additional production costs. On the other hand, the carotenoid potential of microorganisms, especially among yeasts, has not been fully exploited. The diversity of yeast species and strains influences the extraction of many fractions of carotenoids, including the less known ones such as thorulene and tholuradine. The developed adaptability of yeast enables the optimisation of their culture, which facilitates the understanding of their metabolic pathways. At the same time, the coordination of carotenoid and lipid synthesis may prevent their degradation or the loss of their bioactive properties. Application research has been conducted mainly in the feed industry, where their colouring and antimicrobial or immunomodulating properties are used. In the medical and pharmaceutical fields, there is not much research due to safety restrictions and the necessity of the high purity of the fractions. This review also highlights the overlooked aspect of carotenoids’ biodegradability, which is required to exploit the bioactive properties of microbial carotenoids.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1866carotenoid microorganismsmetabolism pathwaysbiological activitybioactive additive
spellingShingle Ewa Kulczyk-Małysa
Elżbieta Bogusławska-Wąs
Carotenoid Yeasts and Their Application Potential
Foods
carotenoid microorganisms
metabolism pathways
biological activity
bioactive additive
title Carotenoid Yeasts and Their Application Potential
title_full Carotenoid Yeasts and Their Application Potential
title_fullStr Carotenoid Yeasts and Their Application Potential
title_full_unstemmed Carotenoid Yeasts and Their Application Potential
title_short Carotenoid Yeasts and Their Application Potential
title_sort carotenoid yeasts and their application potential
topic carotenoid microorganisms
metabolism pathways
biological activity
bioactive additive
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/11/1866
work_keys_str_mv AT ewakulczykmałysa carotenoidyeastsandtheirapplicationpotential
AT elzbietabogusławskawas carotenoidyeastsandtheirapplicationpotential