Industrial Biotechnology of Microalgal Pigments: Omics-Guided, CO₂- and Stress-Driven Production of Carotenoids and Beyond

BackgroundNatural pigments from microalgae and diatoms—carotenoids such as β-carotene and lutein, and, among others, the diatom xanthophyll fucoxanthin and cyanobacterial phycobiliproteins—are in growing demand across food, feed, nutraceutical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical markets as safer, sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes. Photosynthetic microbes can build these high-value molecules from CO₂ and waste-derived carbon, yet industrial supply remains constrained by two coupled bottlenecks. First, cellular pigment titres are often low and variable, because the regulatory and metabolic controls governing biosynthesis and stress-induced accumulation are still poorly resolved. Second, even pigment-rich biomass is only worth cultivating when carbon capture, cultivation and downstream recovery are efficient and scalable. Bridging molecular understanding with robust bioprocessing is therefore essential to turn microalgal pigments into a competitive, circular industrial feedstock.GoalThis Research Topic aims to connect the biology that sets pigment yield with the engineering that makes pigment production viable at scale. We welcome studies that use multi-omics—transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and genome-scale analysis—to dissect the biosynthesis and regulation of carotenoids and other microalgal pigments, and to explain how light, nutrient limitation, salinity, temperature and CO₂ supply drive their accumulation. We equally welcome work that translates this understanding into production: bioprospecting and strain selection of pigment-rich microalgae and diatoms; cultivation and stress-elicitation strategies that raise titre and productivity; CO₂ valorization and waste-stream feedstocks that lower cost and carbon footprint; and integrated downstream processing for gentle, high-recovery pigment extraction and stabilization. Contributions linking these fronts—omics-guided process design and photobioreactor or biorefinery development—are especially encouraged. The goal is to reframe microalgal and diatom pigments as a robust, circular, industrially credible product line rather than a laboratory curiosity.Scope and information for authorsWe invite Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Methods and Perspectives addressing, but not limited to:1. Multi-omics dissection of pigment biosynthesis and stress- or CO₂-induced pigment accumulation, including carotenoids, fucoxanthin and phycobiliproteins;2. Bioprospecting, strain selection and improvement of pigment-rich microalgae, diatoms and cyanobacteria;3. Cultivation, light and nutrient-stress strategies to enhance pigment titre and productivity;4. CO₂ valorization and waste-derived feedstocks for sustainable pigment production;5. Integrated downstream processing, extraction, stabilization and biorefinery co-production of pigments with lipids and other bioactives.Techno-economic and life-cycle assessment is welcomed where linked to a pigment production process. Purely environmental monitoring, ecotoxicology without a production focus, and computational studies lacking experimental validation fall outside this scope. All submissions must fall within the mission of the Industrial Biotechnology section. Topic editors: Dineshkumar Ramalingam, Satheeswaran Thangaraj, Dinesh Kumar Sundarraj Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85638/industrial-biotechnology-of-microalgal-pigments-omics-guided-co--and-stress-driven-production-of-carotenoids-and-beyond