Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41440910›Full record

ReviewMarine drugs2025

Engineering Microalgae for Enhanced Astaxanthin Production: Integrating Metabolic Pathways and Nano-Biotechnologies.

Zhongliang Sun, Shuonan Cao, Shoukai Guo, Weixian Cheng, Adamu Yunusa Ugya, Liqin Sun

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Marine drugs, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Zhongliang SunSchool of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.ORCID 0000-0003-1940-9036
Shuonan CaoSchool of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Shoukai GuoSchool of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Weixian ChengSchool of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.
Adamu Yunusa UgyaSchool of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China.ORCID 0000-0002-1490-4479
Liqin SunSchool of Life Sciences, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China.

Funding

The Science & Technology Cooperation Program of Shandong Province, China 2025KJHZ011
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Astaxanthin is a high-value metabolite with substantial market demand, owing to its potent antioxidant activity and diverse health benefits. Microalgae are considered the primary producers of esterified astaxanthin, yet their industrial-scale cultivation is constrained by low productivity, stress-dependent induction, and challenges in metabolic engineering. This review examines strategies to enhance microalgae-derived esterified astaxanthin production through nanoformulation and modulation of metabolic pathways. We highlight that precise, efficient, and multiplexed genetic modifications of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway can significantly increase astaxanthin accumulation. Downregulation of competing metabolic routes further improves astaxanthin yields. Additionally, targeted engineering of acyltransferases and lipid metabolism regulators enhances astaxanthin esterification, thereby improving its intracellular stability against oxidative degradation. Modifying lipid metabolism also redirects metabolic fluxes toward altered fatty acid saturation in stored lipids, which increases the bioavailability of esterified astaxanthin. The integration of nanoparticles into cultivation systems represents another promising approach, facilitating improved nutrient delivery and light management, and consequently boosting astaxanthin production. However, the application of genetic engineering and nanotechnology faces challenges such as biosafety legislation, regulatory approval processes, and potential ecological impacts. A synergistic combination of both approaches may help overcome these limitations and maximize astaxanthin production from microalgae.

Indexed as

Metabolic EngineeringMicroalgaeBiotechnologyHumansLipid MetabolismMetabolic Networks and PathwaysNanoparticlesNanotechnologyXanthophyllsastaxanthineXanthophyllsalgal biofactoriesastaxanthin esterificationmetabolic engineeringoxidative stress tolerancephotosynthetic efficiency

Identifiers

PMID41440910
PMCPMC12734906

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.