This paper reviews the availability and characteristics of microalgal pigments, factors affecting pigment production and the application of pigments produced from microalgae.
There are various factors such as nutrient availability, salinity, pH, temperature, light wavelength and light intensity which affect pigment production in microalgae. However, due to problems associated with the harmful effects of synthetic colourants, exploitation of microalgal pigments as a source of natural colours becomes an attractive option. Presently, synthetic colourants are used in food, cosmetic, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.
Microalgae are the major photosynthesizers on earth and produce important pigments which include chlorophyll a, b and c, β-carotene, astaxanthin, xanthophylls and phycobiliproteins.
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