Isolation and Characterization of Pigments from Algae for Use as Natural Colorants

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Most synthetic colorants are coal tar derivatives many of which have been shown to be potential causative agents of hyperactivity in children, cancer, embryotoxicity and allergenicity. On the other hand, natural colors do not exhibit these undesirable attributees and may, in fact, have a positive effect on human health, presumably due to their activity as antioxidants and traps of toxic metabolic intermediates. As sources of natural colorants, microalgae are greatly underutilized. This award will support research needed to evaluate algal pigments as potential colorants for food, cosmetic abd pharmaceutical products. Initially carotenoid producing strains will be studied. Cultures of several algal species which produce high levels of carotenoids will be established. Conditions for optimum growth and carotenoid production will be determined. Preparative amounts of the pigments will be extracted and tested. Finally a cost analysis of the process will be performed. If the project is successful a safe and useful souce of colorants will be made available to the food, cosmetic and phamaceutical industry.