Microbial Pigments and Their Industrial Applications
Summary
Microbial pigments encompass a diverse array of coloured compounds produced by bacteria, fungi, yeasts and microalgae, spanning chemical classes such as carotenoids, melanin, azaphilones, flavins and polyketides. Synthesised largely as secondary metabolites, these molecules fulfil ecological roles—protection against oxidative stress, light filtering and intercellular signalling—while offering a renewable and eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes. Advances in fermentation technologies, metabolic engineering and green extraction methods have enhanced yields and tailored pigment profiles. Industrial applications now extend from food colourants and nutraceuticals to cosmetics, textiles and bioimaging, with added value arising from inherent antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activities. The adoption of microbial pigments supports a circular bioeconomy by utilising waste streams as substrates, reducing reliance on petrochemicals and mitigating environmental toxicity. Challenges persist in stabilising colour under processing conditions, meeting regulatory safety requirements and scaling production cost-effectively. Ongoing interdisciplinary research seeks to optimise strain performance, streamline downstream processing and expand the palette of market-ready natural colourants.
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Microbial Pigments and Their Industrial Applications publication trend
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Technical terms
Carotenoids: Lipid-soluble tetraterpenoid pigments responsible for yellow, orange and red hues with antioxidant properties.
Azaphilones: Fungal polyketide pigments characterised by a pyrone-quinone structure, noted for vivid reds and bioactivity.
Polyketides: A class of secondary metabolites assembled by polyketide synthases, encompassing diverse pigments, antibiotics and toxins.
Oleaginous yeasts: Yeast species capable of accumulating over 20 per cent of their biomass as triacylglycerides, often co-producing carotenoids.
Phycobiliproteins: Water-soluble, fluorescent protein pigments in cyanobacteria and red algae, used as natural colourants and in biotechnological assays.
References
- Oleaginous Red Yeasts: Concomitant Producers of Triacylglycerides and Carotenoids. Encyclopedia (2023).
- Recent advances of natural pigments from algae. Food Production, Processing and Nutrition (2023).
- Multifaceted Applications of Microbial Pigments: Current Knowledge, Challenges and Future Directions for Public Health Implications. Microorganisms (2019).
- Bacterial Pigments: Sustainable Compounds With Market Potential for Pharma and Food Industry. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2020).
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