Microbial Pigments: A Potential Substitute of Synthetic Colorants in the Food and Healthcare Sectors

Microbial pigments are gaining attention since they are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and have a wide range of applications, making them a promising alternative to synthetic colorants. Synthetic colorants are still widely used due to high production, intensity, and low cost, but their increased usage has expressed concerns as it directly impacts human health. Algae, fungi, and different bacteria have been utilized recently to produce microbial pigments on a commercial scale. These pigments are then employed as food additives and coloring agents to enhance the biological qualities. Addition of biocolors to food products not only improves the color of the food but also enhances the health benefits by scavenging free radicals from the body. Biological pigments are important sources of natural colors with many therapeutic properties apart from serving as food colorant. They are prominently known for their clinical properties such as antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory and also used as immunosuppressant. In addition to their industrial and pharmaceutical applicability, they also have higher biodegradability and environmental compatibility. This chapter highlights the significance of bio-pigments, techniques to enhance the stability and emphasize its applications in food and health care sectors.