Bio-Upcycling of Food Waste into Carotenoids Using Microalgae

Utilization of food waste for microalgae production has gained attention over the past decade among researchers in institutes and industries owing to the potential of microalgae to produce carotenoids, a high-value biomolecule also used as a natural color and a potent antioxidant. Integrating microalgae bioprocessing with industrial food waste helps in achieving sustainable development goals by reducing carbon footprints (CFP), greenhouse gases (GHGs), and promoting waste management and circular bioeconomy. In addition to being used as an alternative culture medium for microalgae, food waste can also be used for the production of carotenoids. Although multiple studies have been reported regarding extracting microalgae carotenoids from food waste, there is still a knowledge gap related to a concise and clear outlook on waste utilization as a growth medium. Furthermore, the enhancement of microalgae-based carotenoids using omics strategies in bioprocessing has been suggested for the production of viable products. Therefore, this review focuses on a novel perspective on the cultivation strategy for microalgae using food waste for the production of carotenoids with industrial applications.