Astaxanthin producing yeasts: Production and genomic analysis

This chapter explores yeasts and their potential in carotenoid production, delving into the diverse roles of carotenoids, their biosynthesis, and applications. Carotenoids, found in various organisms, serve several crucial functions, including light harvesting, photoprotection, and antioxidant activity. The focus shifts to astaxanthin, a red-orange carotenoid with immense market value and applications, notably in aquaculture and health. The astaxanthin-producing yeast strains emerge as a promising biotechnological platform for carotenoid production, particularly astaxanthin. Its unique features, FDA approval, and ability to synthesize carotenoids make it an ideal candidate for industrial applications. This chapter details the structure of astaxanthin and its biosynthetic pathway, emphasizing key genes involved. Additionally, it highlights other carotenoid producers and the biochemistry of astaxanthin. The latter part focuses on the health-promoting effects of astaxanthin, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anticancer activities. Immunomodulation benefits and the safety profile of astaxanthin are also discussed. The chapter concludes by addressing current trends, perspectives, and challenges in astaxanthin production, emphasizing the importance of circular, zero-waste processes.