Optimizing the detection of carotene in cyanobacteria in a martian regolith analogue with a Raman spectrometer for the ExoMars mission

► We performed Raman measurements on Mars analogue material with cyanobacteria. ► β-Carotene present in cyanobacteria could be discriminated from the mineral background. ► A measurement regime is proposed for martian analogue material with cyanobacteria.