Isolation and Production of Prodigiosin Pigments from Streptomyces spp.

Abstract

AbstractIn the recent era, the extraction and application of microbial pigments are on the rise and gained significance as they are naturally produced by diverse microorganisms. Microbial pigments by and large depict coloring agents; are also excellent eco-friendly resources over the synthetic pigments. Amongst natural pigment-producing microbes, the phylum Actinobacteria is regarded as potential pigment producers. Actinobacteria produces various pigments with different shades viz., brown, red, green, yellow, and black based on media composition. The most beneficial pigments are produced by species Streptomyces of the phylum Actinobacteria namely, melanin a dark-brown pigment, and prodigiosin, a red-color pigment. Streptomyces spp. are considered the most potent Actinobacterial pigment producers often where the pigments produced are extracted and manipulated in different industries as pigments exhibit properties like antioxidants, antimicrobial, immunosuppressant, antitumor, and for much similar functionality. In the present chapter, we attempt to provide cues on various sources of isolating actinobacterial pigments especially from soil and water samples, and the growth influencing factors such as temperature, media composition: salt concentration, metal ions, and carbon: nitrogen ratio through solid-state and submerged aerobic fermentation protocols for the pigment isolation and sustainable production.Key wordsActinobacteria Streptomyces Natural pigmentsProdigiosinProduction