Screening of natural pigments from indigenous marine microalgae isolated from different coastal aquafarms of Bangladesh

Abstract

Globalization demands something new and natural. Natural pigments from microalgae could be something like that. However, it is a long way from a Petri dish to market. However, it is going to happen. So, knowing the pigment concentration among different species is necessary because of its significant role in the global market. The present study is designed to estimate the Chlorophylls, carotenoids and phycobiliproteins (Allophycocyanin, Phycocyanin and Phycoerythrin) contents of four (4) different indigenous marine microalgae species i.e. Chlorella sp., Chaetoceros sp., Nannochloropsis sp. and Tetraselmis sp. The result showed significant differences in the concentration of pigments among the species. However, Tetraselmis sp. produced a significantly higher amount of chlorophyll a (2.68 µg/L ± 0.04), and Chlorophyll b (1.23±0.02 µg/L) where Chaetoceros sp. had higher chlorophyll c (0.29±0.01 µg/L) among all the species. In the case of carotenoids, Chlorella sp. produced the lowest carotenoids (0.56±0.02 µg/L), where the other three showed no significant difference. Allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin were reported significantly higher (0.0197±0.0006 µg/L) and (0.0029 ± 0.0002 µg/L) in Nannochloropsis sp. rather than other three species where no significant difference was found in the concentrations of phycocyanin among all the species. Whatever the amount is, these microalgae are important because of their novel features. The study's findings will help the producer select a definite species according to their target and needs.