Antioxidant Potential and Capacity of Microorganism-Sourced C(30) Carotenoids—A Review

Carotenoids are lipophilic tetraterpenoid pigments produced by plants, algae, arthropods, and certain bacteria and fungi. These biologically active compounds are used in the food, feed, and nutraceutical industries for their coloring and the physiological benefits imparted by their antioxidant properties. The current global carotenoid market is dominated by synthetic carotenoids; however, the rising consumer demand for natural products has led to increasing research and development in the mass production of carotenoids from alternative natural sources, including microbial synthesis and plant extraction, which holds a significant market share. To date, microbial research has focused on C(40) carotenoids, but studies have shown that C(30) carotenoids contain similar—and in some microbial strains, greater—antioxidant activity in both the physical and chemical quenching of reactive oxygen species. The discovery of carotenoid biosynthetic pathways in different microorganisms and advances in metabolic engineering are driving the discovery of novel C(30) carotenoid compounds. This review highlights the C(30) carotenoids from microbial sources, showcasing their antioxidant properties and the technologies emerging for their enhanced production. Industrial applications and tactics, as well as biotechnological strategies for their optimized synthesis, are also discussed.