ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PIGMENT PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM SOLID FOOD WASTE SAMPLESShaguftanaz S. Shaikh, Swaleha A. Shaikh, Rahul S. More and G.R. PathadeAbstract Due to increasing advertence of hazards of chemical colours, biocolours produced by pigment producing microorganisms can be helpful option to be used commercially. In the current study it was attempted to isolate pigment producing bacteria from solid food waste samples which are rich in microflora. Three isolates designated as IS-1, IS-2 and IS-3 were obtained which were later tentatively identified as Staphylococcus roseus (red pigment), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (pink pigment) and Micrococcus luteus (lemon yellow pigment), respectively on the basis of morphological and biochemical characteristics. Each pigment was further extracted and its antimicrobial activity was checked against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pigment produced by Staphylococcus roseus showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Hence, this red pigment has potential to be used in food industry and also in skin creams. Further work on this pigment for its feasibility in above use is in process. |