Microalgae-derived natural pigments for beverage coloration
A biotechnology platform for producing natural colorants from microalgae, including red phycoerythrin and blue phycocyanin, for use in beverages. Leverages optimized cultivation strategies, CO2 biocapture, and controlled bioprocess conditions to deliver non-toxic, sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes for the food and beverage industry.
Overview
This solution offers a sustainable source of natural pigments extracted from microalgae for use as colorants in beverages. Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that convert sunlight, nutrients, and carbon dioxide into valuable metabolites, including a wide spectrum of non-toxic pigments such as carotenoids, chlorophylls, phycobilins, phycoerythrin, and phycocyanin. These pigments span red, yellow, orange, green, and blue shades, providing beverage manufacturers with a versatile palette of natural alternatives to synthetic dyes. The offering is backed by deep expertise in microalgae cultivation, bioprocess optimization, and pigment production for the food and cosmetic industries.
Technical specifications
Key capabilities and features:
- Cultivation of multiple microalgae strains with demonstrated pigment production, including phycoerythrin (PE) at up to 3.10 mg/g dry weight and phycocyanin (PC) at up to 130 mg/g dry weight
- Control of multivariable culture parameters including light dose, light wavelength, temperature, and nutrient composition to maximize pigment yields
- Bioreactor and tank design tailored for biomass production and CO2 biocapture
- Evaluation of alternative culture media for cost-effective biomass and metabolite production
- Planned downstream processing including extraction, separation, and characterization of pigment properties such as shelf life, solubility, pH and temperature stability, and ideal concentration for beverage applications
Applications:
- Natural colorants for the beverage industry across multiple color profiles
- Potential extension to food and cosmetic product formulations
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at a laboratory-validated stage. Multiple microalgae strains have been studied and cultivated under optimized conditions, with documented production yields for key pigments. Ongoing and future work includes screening additional culture media and inductive conditions to further improve profitability and reduce production costs. A 12-month development timeline is envisioned to complete extraction optimization, stability testing, and beverage application evaluation, with the goal of identifying a strategic industrial partner to scale production toward commercial deployment.
About Tecnológico de Monterrey
Tecnológico de Monterrey is a leading private, multi-campus research university in Mexico, recognized for entrepreneurship and industry collaboration. Its Monterrey headquarters anchors an urban innovation district with open lab space, prototyping, and shared testing facilities that welcome corporate collaborators. An integrated health system supports clinical research and translation, while structured internships and challenge-driven partnerships connect companies with faculty and student talent year-round. Research is supported by competitive federal funding through Mexico’s national science and technology council, along with industry contracts and international sponsors. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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