Pigment Microbiology

A description of a microbial colony grown on suitable agar usually involves the observation of its immediate surroundings. This applies to most bacteria and fungi and is of considerable taxonomic importance. This book discusses the more abundant pigments of microbial origin, their unique function in microbial life and their biotechnological significance. The opening chapter provides a brief introduction to the principles of photochemistry. The following chapters focus on melanine pigments, their physiological importance and some phytopathological and biotechnological aspects. Carotenoids are reviewed with an emphasis on their occurrence in the microbial world, their potential use as food colourants as well as some pharmacological aspects. Heterocyclic compounds such as phenazines, monascins and indigo pigments are also reviewed.