Carotenoids of Halophilic Archaea: Production, Properties and Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

Halophilic Archaea possess fascinating physiological characteristics with unique ecological significance. Among the carotenoids, bacterioruberin is one of the most studied which is produced by different halophilic Archaea with beneficial characteristics such as antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activity. Their metabolites exhibit distinctive characteristics such as stability in extreme conditions, structural modifications and biological activities, which may be used to develop innovative products for different biotechnological applications. At the laboratory level, carotenoid production depends on several physical and chemical parameters, such as incubation temperature, pH, and medium composition, in particular the presence and concentration of NaCl, CH 3 COONa, and MgSO₄. Thus, it is still terra incognita , an area that provides opportunities for research in the search of new natural compounds with numerous potential applications. This is a narrative review of carotenoids produced by halophilic archaea with an emphasis on biosynthesis, extraction, safety and potential biotechnological applications.

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