Microalgae Scenedesmus as a Source of Pigments and Other Biologically Active Metabolites: Application Prospects and Problems

Food dyes are widely used in the food industry to improve the sensory properties and consumer attractiveness of finished products. However, synthetic dyes are associated with potential health risks. Microalgae are known to produce natural pigments that provide intense coloring and possess various biological metabolites, e.g., chlorophylls and carotenoids. This article reviews available data on the pigment composition of Scenedesmus microalgae, including cultivation strategies, efficient pigment biosynthesis, prospects for the functional food and nutraceutical industries, and commercial limitations. The review covered scientific publications on Scenedesmus colorants, their bioactive properties, and / or practical application registered in ScienceDirect (Scopus), Springer Link, MDPI, and Google Scholar in 2015–2025. Scenedesmus microalgae accumulate significant amounts of chlorophylls (≤ 30.8 mg/g) and carotenoids (≤ 98.0 mg/g). The carotenoid profile of Scenedesmus consists of a variety of compounds, with such commercially important substances as lutein (≤ 10.7 mg/g), β-carotene (≤ 19.0 mg/g), and astaxanthin (≤ 23.8 mg/g). Scenedesmus carotenoid extracts possess antimicrobial, antiproliferative, hypolipidemic, and antidiabetic properties. As a result, Scenedesmus pigments are promising components to be used in functional foods and nutraceuticals. Various cultivation strategies aim at increasing the pigment yield in Scenedesmus biomass. Two factors hinder the successful commercialization of Scenedesmus for pigment production: 1) pigment composition depends on the strain and cultivation conditions; 2) large-scale pigment cultivation and extraction are technically and economically complex. Further research is required to assess the safety and bioavailability of Scenedesmus pigments, as well as to improve industrial cultivation and extraction technologies.