Lutein, a xanthophyII carotenoid ubiquitously distributed in plant species, has garnered significant scientific interest owing to its strong antioxidant properties. Its potent antioxidative capacity has garnered significant attention in the domains of nutraceutical enhancement and biomedical applications. Currently, the biosynthesis of lutein utilizing microalgal platforms, particularly Chlorella species, represents a forefront area of research, driven by their high photosynthetic efficiency and potential for sustainable production of high-value carotenoids. This paper provides a comprehensive review of biosynthetic methods and optimization strategies for lutein production, while elucidating its critical biofunctional roles and underlying mechanisms in biomedical applications. Then, highlighting recent advancements in lutein encapsulation technologies and food matrix-based delivery systems, while providing a systematic analysis of their applications in food industry. Currently, lutein has shown potential in emerging scenarios such as functional foods and anti-aging cosmetics, but still have bottlenecks in its industrialization. Future research and development should focus on sustainable production and interdisciplinary research to promote the broad application of lutein in the health industry.
Wu et al. (2026) studied this question.