MICROBIAL PIGMENTS AS A NATURAL COLOR: A REVIEWAbstract
Natural pigments have great interest with in the market now a day’s particularly microbial pigments. The various microorganisms such as Micrococcus, Bacillus, Rhodotorula, Monascus, Phaffia, Sarcina and Achromobacter have the capability to produce different pigments. These colors have number of beneficial properties like anti-cancerous, immunosuppressive, antibiotic, anti-proliferative, bio-degradability etc. Further, they have broad area of application mainly in food, dairy, printing, textile and pharmaceutical industries etc. Since, the microorganisms are a significant source of carotenoids and major source of naturally occurring pigments. These carotenoids basically protect cells against photo oxidative damage and hence have vital applications in environment, food and nutrition, disease control, and as potent antimicrobial agents. Use of microbial pigments in processed food is another promising area with large economic potential. However, microbial pigments provide challenges due to lower stability, high cost and variation in shades due to changes in pH. Further, it is also essential to have toxicology studies of these microbial pigments before their use as natural colorants in food products.