Biotechnological Potential of Microbial Pigments: From Production to Application

Microbial pigments have gained considerable attention as sustainable
and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic colorants, driven by
increasing environmental concerns and demand for natural products.
These pigments are produced by bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and
microalgae and display a wide range of colors along with bioactive
properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiinflammatory activities. Advances in biotechnology, including
metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and process optimization,
have significantly improved pigment yield, stability, and scalability.
The use of low-cost substrates and agro-industrial wastes further
enhances economic feasibility and sustainability. Efficient
downstream processing techniques ensure pigment purity, safety,
and functional performance for diverse applications. Microbial
pigments are increasingly utilized in food, pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics, textiles, and agriculture due to their multifunctional
nature. Despite these advantages, challenges such as large-scale
production, stability, and regulatory approvals remain. This chapter
presents a comprehensive overview of microbial pigment sources, classification, biosynthesis, production technologies, downstream
processing, applications, and future prospects, highlighting their
importance in sustainable industrial biotechnology.