Food-grade pigments from Streptomyces sp. isolated from the marine sponge Callyspongia diffusa

In Streptomyces, carotenoid production occurs in constitutive, light-dependent or cryptic manner. In this study, it has been found that Streptomyces strain (AQBWWS1) of white series isolated from the marine sponge Callyspongia diffusa, on fermentation under fluorescent white light produced food-grade pigments (carotenoids). Spectrophotometric analysis of the carotenoid fraction revealed two peaks at 445 and 471 nm. TLC analysis of the carotenoid extract showed the presence of lycopene (Rf of 0.40) and an unidentified pigment (Rf of 0.35). HPLC confirmed the production of lycopene and an unidentified pigment. Further work on mass production of these food-grade pigments (carotenoids) and its usage as food colourant and feed additive have to be studied.