The Final Development Related Microbial Pigments and the Application in Food Industry

Abstract

The successful marketing of natural pigments derived from microorganisms and microalgae or extracted from flowering plants, both as food colorants and nutritional supplements, reflects the presence, and importance of markets in which consumers are willing to pay a premium for “natural healthy ingredients”. As known, pigments prefer in natural products have antioxidant, antimicrobial and antimutagenic activities. The most commonly used food grade pigments are chemical compounds containing nitrite and nitrate salts and these synthetic compounds have carcinogenic and teratogenic effects. As colorant substances, natural pigments are very important. Natural pigments sourced from ores, insects, plants and animals were the colorants used since prehistoric period. The industry is now able to produce some microbial pigments for applications in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and textiles. Microorganisms and microalgae as sources of pigments for food use: an industrial reality. The utilization of agro-industrial residues for pigment production may represent an added value to the industry and an environmental-friendly way for waste management. It is emphasized in the present review that is microbial pigments therapeutic potential and assess the potential role of in food industry.