Question

Which of the following is an example of a microbial pigment used in industrial applications?

• A. Chlorophyll
• B. Melanin
• C. Carotene
• D. Hemoglobin

Hint:

• Microorganisms produce a variety of pigments (e.g., carotenoids, phycocyanins, prodigiosin, melanins, chlorophylls by algae/cyanobacteria).
• Some microbial pigments have industrial uses as natural colorants (food, cosmetics), antioxidants, or pharmaceuticals.
• \(\beta\)-carotene, produced by algae like Dunaliella salina or fungi like Blakeslea trispora, is a major industrial microbial pigment.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In the context of industrial applications, microbial pigments are utilized for their diverse range of colors and properties. Among the given options:

• Chlorophyll: A green pigment found in plants and algae, primarily used in photosynthesis, not typically used as a microbial pigment in industries.
• Melanin: A natural pigment found in most organisms, mainly known for its role in determining the color of skin and hair, not commonly used in industrial applications as a microbial pigment.
• Carotene: An orange pigment that can be produced by various microorganisms, extensively used in the food and cosmetic industries as a natural colorant and antioxidant. It is an example of a microbial pigment used in industrial applications.
• Hemoglobin: A red pigment found in red blood cells, responsible for transporting oxygen in animals, not produced by microbes and not relevant to industrial pigmentation in microbial processes.

Therefore, the correct answer is Carotene, as it is a microbial pigment widely applied in industries for its beneficial properties.