Microbial Pigments: Diversity, Production and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on ‘Microbial Pigments: Diversity, Production, and Applications’ aims to be a platform where contemporary research on microbial pigments and their multifaceted roles could be shared. Encompassing a broad spectrum of studies, methodologies, and utilizations, it will underscore the profound significance of microbial pigments in diverse fields.

There are more than 200 pigments of microbial origin known so far; however, only a few of them are produced commercially, while others are yet to be tapped for various applications. Hence, this Special Issue hopes to include studies analyzing the diversity of microbial pigments, their intricate biochemical pathways and genetic underpinnings, using novel pigment production techniques, which further highlights the innovative bioprocessing and fermentation strategies that could enhance pigment yields.

From their role in food and cosmetic colorants to their potential as natural dyes in textiles, microbial pigments offer sustainable alternatives to synthetic compounds. Their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and UV-protective properties also render them invaluable in pharmaceuticals and materials science. Therefore, this Special Issue seeks to highlight the extensive applications of microbial pigments across various industries, including bioremediation (where they could be used to monitor environmental pollutants) and microbial synthetic biology (where genetic manipulation could be harnessed to engineer pigments with tailored characteristics).

In essence, this Special Issue aims to present a panoramic view of microbial pigments, emphasizing their diversity, innovative production methods, and wide-ranging applications, which could be pivotal in bringing about sustainable industrial practices.

For this Special Issue, we welcome submissions of original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

1. Exploration of Novel Microbial Pigments: Biosynthesis Pathways and Genetic Regulation;
2. Fermentation Strategies for Enhanced Microbial Pigment Production;
3. Biotechnological Approaches for Large-Scale Production of Microbial Pigments;
4. Application of Microbial Pigments as Natural Food Colorants;
5. Microbial Pigments in Cosmetic and Textile Industries: Trends and Innovations;
6. Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Microbial Pigments: Potential Health Applications;
7. Microbial Pigments as UV-Protective Agents in Sunscreens and Protective Materials;
8. Engineering Microbial Pigments through Synthetic Biology: Tailoring Color and Functionality;
9. Exploring the Bioactive Potential of Microbial Pigments for Pharmaceutical Applications;
10. Microbial Pigments as Biosensors for Environmental Monitoring and Detection;
11. Bioremediation Applications of Microbial Pigments in Wastewater Treatment;
12. Microbial Pigments in Agriculture: Plant Growth Promotion and Pest Management;
13. Microbial Pigment-Mediated Nanomaterial Synthesis and Biomedical Applications;
14. Regulatory and Safety Considerations for the Commercial Use of Microbial Pigments.

Dr. Prasun Kumar
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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