| dc.description.abstract | Microbial pigments are substances that can absorb light in the visible range and emit
color while playing an important role in the physiology and molecular processes of
microorganisms. Pigment production is a method of adaptation to various extreme
environments and was the reason for choosing waste sources to isolate pigment-producing
bacteria in this study. Microbial pigments have a massive commercial potential in the
food, agriculture, pharmaceutical, textile, cosmetic and dietary industries due to their
biodegradability and environmental compatibility and are anticipated to reach 33 to 49
billion dollars by 2027. This study aimed to screen and identified bacteria that could
produce pigments, extract them, and determine how they behave at different pH and
temperature levels. Three bacterial species namely Corynebacterium sp., Streptococcus
sp., and Staphylococcus sp. capable of producing pigments were isolated from various
water samples, including canals, gutters, and industrial wastewater dumping sites, using
the enrichment culture plate technique, and were morphologically and biochemically
identified. Out of three isolated species the Streptococcus sp., was carried forward. The
pigment was extracted using solvent-solvent extraction and centrifugation techniques. A
significant increase in light absorption was observed at 9◦C and 40◦C when compared
with that of 30◦C for the beta-carotene produced by Streptococcus sp. and stability was
observed at a temperature of 30◦C (P < 2.2 × 10−16). The stability of the pigment was
observed at pH 7 and a significant increase in light absorption was observed for pH 1
when compared with pH 4, 7, 10 and 13 (P < 2.2 × 10−16). | en_US |
