A review focusing on research works in the field of food colorants over the past 10 uears. Innovations will improve the economy of pigment prodn. by isolating new or creating better microorganisms by improving the processes. Among microalgae, two success stories arise from efficient prodn. of carotenoids: (3-carotene from Dunaliella and astaxanthin from Haematococcus. Regarding phycobiliproteins or phycocyanin, researchers should first carry out toxicol. studies required before these compds. can be used as food colors. [on SciFinder(R)]