Where is Pigment Produced?
Pigment production occurs in various locations depending on the organism and type of pigment.
In animals like Xenopus, pigment is produced within chromatophores. For example, melanophores, analogous to melanocytes in humans, produce black pigment. These melanophores appear approximately 24 hours after fertilization in Xenopus, initially laterally and then along the trunk. (Reference: Similar to Xenopus, pigment is produced in the chromatophores before the completion of migration. The melanophores, which are similar to melanocytes and produce black pigment, appear around 24 hr laterally and then along the trunk.) In humans, the pigments responsible for skin, hair, and eye color are produced in organelles called melanosomes, located within skin cells called melanocytes. (Reference: The pigments that create skin, hair, and eye color are produced in organelles called melanosomes, which are located within skin cells called melanocytes.)
Pigment Production in Microorganisms
Many microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, also produce pigments. These pigments are produced in diverse locations depending on the species:
- Extracellularly: Some bacteria, like Streptomyces sp. NEAE-H, produce pigments that are released outside the cell. This strain produces a black melanin pigment in peptone-yeast extract iron agar. (References: In this present study, a newly isolated strain, Streptomyces sp. NEAE-H, capable of producing high amount of black extracellular melanin pigment on peptone-…; NEAE-H, capable of producing high amount of black extracellular melanin pigment on peptone-yeast extract iron agar and identified as…)
- Intracellularly: Other microorganisms produce pigments within their cells. The exact location within the cell varies depending on the organism and the pigment being produced. Examples include:
- Pantoea agglomerans: Produces a deep blue pigment. (Reference: A bacterium capable of producing a deep blue pigment was isolated from the environment and identified as Pantoea agglomerans.)
- Penicillium sp.: Produces an orange pigment. (Reference: The present study highlights the bioprospection of natural pigment from a cold adapted fungal strain of Penicillium sp. (GBPI_P155), isolated from soil of…)
- Chromobacterium violaceum: Produces the antibiotic pigment violacein. (Reference: Violacein, an Antibiotic Pigment Produced by Chromobacterium Violaceum)
- Marine Streptomyces species: Produces melanin pigment with antioxidant activities. (Reference: The present study was concluded that melanin pigment obtained from marine actinobacterium of Streptomyces species has potential antioxidant activities and these…)
- Pseudomonas fluorescens: Produces a pigment (specific location not detailed in reference). (Reference: A strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens, designated CP30, was found to be able to co-metabolize 3-chlorobenzoic acid via 3-chlorocatechol and 4-…)
Cold-adapted bacteria and fungi also produce pigments, showcasing the diverse locations and conditions under which pigment synthesis occurs. (Reference: Pigment production by cold-adapted bacteria and fungi: colorful tale of cryosphere with wide range applications)
