Studies on optimization of pigment production of SB2 isolate from the Saltern region of Marakanam (T.N)

The marine environment plays a vital role in producing valuable natural products for biomedical and pharmaceutical research. The pigment is one of the bioactive molecules derived from marine bacteria. The strain SB2 was isolated from the saltern areas of Marakanam to produce yellow pigment, round, and smooth colonies on selective media. The strain SB2 was opted out for further studies based on its pigment production (1.68 mg l-1). The incubation period, pH, and temperature are critical factors in increasing pigment production (7.81 mg l-1) from the strain SB2 using RSM (Response Surface Method) by Box Behnken Design (BBD). Similarly, the strain produced the highest pigmentation (7.67 mg l-1) in a nutrient medium containing olive oil, molasses, and corn cob powder. Using BBD, various concentrations of methanol, ethyl ether, and ethanol solvents were optimised with the isolate SB2 to yield maximum pigment (4.29 mg l-1). The extracted pigment was effectively treated with bacterial pathogens to inhibit their growth when the isolate grew at pH 7, temperature 30ºC, and salt 2% concentration. Using Box Behnken Design (BBD), optimising nutrient sources, solvents, and environmental factors with the yellow-pigmented SB2 strain recovered from seawater results in the highest carotenoid pigment production, and the pigment has antibacterial properties.