Fucoxanthin is a pigment present in diverse marine organisms such as micro and macro-algae. The most relevant source of fucoxanthin has been described to be the group of the brown macroalgae, also known as Phaeophyceae. The presence of the fucoxanthin, a xanthophyll, found as an accessory pigment in the chloroplasts of the brown algae is responsible for providing them their characteristic color. The market size of this carotenoid, expected to reach US$ 120 million by 2022, reflects its industrial importance, especially remarkable as a food or cosmetic ingredient. Therefore, it is critical to recognize the main sources of fucoxanthin as well as the most efficient extraction and purification methods that allow obtaining the best production ratio for such a valuable molecule. Throughout this review very different preventive properties of the fucoxanthin have been included, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, antiobesity, neuroprotective and its skin protective effects. The stability, bioavailability and toxicity of the fucoxanthin have also been reviewed through diverse biological, in vitro and in vivo assays. Thus, the main aim of this work is to provide a wide and global vision of the fucoxanthin in terms of productive species, efficient recovery techniques and multiple industrial applications. The main sources of fucoxanthin are brown algae (Phaeophytes) and some microalgae. Several techniques have been employed to extract this compound, such as maceration extraction (ME), enzyme assisted extraction (EAE), microwave assisted extraction (MAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) or supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Following the extraction, the identification step has been carried out using different chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. Fucoxanthin has gained attention in the last decades, due to the wide variety of attributed beneficial activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer or neuroprotective effects. These bioactivities are interesting for its diverse applications in the industry, including the development of innovative pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food products. Display omitted •Review of fucoxanthin main matrixes and bioactive properties.•Approximation to fucoxanthin extraction and quantification methods.•Review of fucoxanthin stability, bioavailability and toxicity in diverse biological assays.•Content of fucoxanthin in micro and macroalgae (notably in chloroplasts of brown algae).•Fucoxanthin industrial importance (US$ 120 million by 2022) as ingredient (food or cosmetic).