Production and characterization of microbial carotenoids as an alternative to synthetic colors: A review

Abstract

Carotenoids are important group of pigments with specific applications in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries owing to their biological properties like antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and immune-modulator. The demand of carotenoids as nutraceutical compounds has triggered the research to explore a commercially viable process for economic production of carotenoids. This article presents a review of carotenoids from microbial origin identifying the conditions used for their cultivation and applications. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.