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Lutein production from biomass: Marigold flowers versus microalgae

2014; Elsevier BV; Volume: 184; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.biortech.2014.09.099

1873-2976

Jian-Hao Lin, Duu‐Jong Lee, Jo‐Shu Chang,

Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress

Microalgae have faster growth rates and more free lutein than marigold flowers, the current source of lutein. However, no commercial lutein production uses microalgae. This review compares lutein content, cultivation, harvesting, cell disruption, and extraction stages of lutein production using marigold flowers and those using microalgae as feedstock. The lutein production rate of microalgae is 3–6 times higher than that of marigold flowers. To produce 1 kg of pure lutein, marigolds need more land and water, but require less nutrients (N, P, K) and less energy than microalgae. Since lutein is tightly bound in microalgae and microalgae are small, cell disruption and subsequent extraction stages consume a considerable amount of energy. Research and development of affordable lutein production from microalgae are discussed.