Extraction of Natural Colors from Marine Algae

 Abstract:The pigment content in microalgae is a specific feature of each species. Colors from natural sources are gaining more importance mainly due to health and environmental issues. Algae contain a wide range of pigments. Three major classes of pigments are chlorophylls, carotenoids (carotenes and xanthophylls) and phycobilins (Phycocyanin and phycoerythrin). Phycocyanin and phycoerythrin belong to the major class of phycobilins photosynthetic pigment while fucoxanthin and peridinin belong to carotenoid group of photosynthetic pigment. Macro- and microalgae (including cyanobacteria) have been recognized to provide a wide diversity of metabolites including pigments for energy capture and photo-protection. One of the main objectives is to identify and select potential micro- and macroalgae species that can be used a raw material for the color industry.