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Review
. 2022 May 26;20(6):352.
doi: 10.3390/md20060352.

Marine Microbial-Derived Resource Exploration: Uncovering the Hidden Potential of Marine Carotenoids

Ray Steven  1 , Zalfa Humaira  1 , Yosua Natanael  1 , Fenny M Dwivany  1 , Joko P Trinugroho  2 , Ari Dwijayanti  3 , Tati Kristianti  4 , Trina Ekawati Tallei  5 , Talha Bin Emran  6   7 , Heewon Jeon  8 , Fahad A Alhumaydhi  9 , Ocky Karna Radjasa  10 , Bonglee Kim  8
Affiliations
Review

Marine Microbial-Derived Resource Exploration: Uncovering the Hidden Potential of Marine Carotenoids

Ray Steven et al. Mar Drugs. .

Abstract

Microbes in marine ecosystems are known to produce secondary metabolites. One of which are carotenoids, which have numerous industrial applications, hence their demand will continue to grow. This review highlights the recent research on natural carotenoids produced by marine microorganisms. We discuss the most recent screening approaches for discovering carotenoids, using in vitro methods such as culture-dependent and culture-independent screening, as well as in silico methods, using secondary metabolite Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (smBGCs), which involves the use of various rule-based and machine-learning-based bioinformatics tools. Following that, various carotenoids are addressed, along with their biological activities and metabolic processes involved in carotenoids biosynthesis. Finally, we cover the application of carotenoids in health and pharmaceutical industries, current carotenoids production system, and potential use of synthetic biology in carotenoids production.

Keywords: biosynthetic gene cluster; carotenoids; marine; microorganisms.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Corals with their carotenoid-producing bacteria. (a) Leptogorgia sp. with red-colored morphology and red-colored colony reflects red-colored carotenoid. (b) Sinularia sp. with yellow-colored morphology and yellow-colored colony reflects yellow-colored carotenoid.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Various carotenoid structures. The basic structure of carotenoids is a tetraterpene. Carotenoid variations result from the presence of various side groups and different double-bond forms. (a) Carotene group; (b) xanthophyll group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. Various kinds of carotenoid derivatives are synthesized based on the genes contained in the carotenoid gene cluster. MVA and MEP pathways are shown in green. Precursor, intermediates, and final product compounds are shown in yellow. Enzymes that play a role in the conversion of compounds are written next to the metabolic pathways.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Variations in marine bacteria carotenoid gene clusters. Brevundimonas sp. carotenoid gene cluster consists of crtW, crtY, crtI, crtB, crtE, idi, and crtZ genes to synthesize 2-hydroxyastaxanthin; Agrobacterium aurantiacum consists of crtW, crtZ, crtY, crtU, and crtB genes; Paracoccus zeaxanthinifaciens consists of crtZ, crtY, crtI, crtB, and crtE genes; Brevibacterium linens consists of crtB, crtI, crtK, crtU, crtYd, crtYc, crtE, and idi genes; Brevundimonas scallop consists of crtG, crtZ, idi, crtE, crtB, crtI, crtY, and crtW genes; and Algoriphagus sp. consists of crtI, crtB, crtYcd, and crtW genes.
Figure 5
Figure 5
General workflow of in silico carotenoid screening using databases and tools.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Main steps in the microbiological biosynthesis route for carotenoid production.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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