We’re thrilled to announce the recent publication of a groundbreaking review titled “Exploring Pigment‑Producing Streptomyces as an Alternative Source to Synthetic Pigments: Diversity, Biosynthesis, and Biotechnological Applications” in the World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology (2025, Vol. 41, Article 211).
About the Research
Led by Richard Asah-Asante and co-authored by a team of scientists from Huaiyin Institute of Technology and Jiangsu Food and Pharmaceutical Science College, this review explores the vibrant world of Streptomyces a genus of soil and marine bacteria known for producing naturally colored, bioactive compounds.
As concerns over the toxicity and environmental impact of synthetic dyes continue to rise, this timely review positions Streptomyces as a promising, eco-friendly alternative. The paper details the diverse pigment classes produced by these microorganisms such as melanin, prodiginine, quinone, and actinorhodin and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.
What’s Inside
The review offers a comprehensive synthesis of:
- Ecological and taxonomic diversity of pigment-producing Streptomyces
- Biosynthetic pathways and pigment classes
- Cutting-edge advances in genetic engineering and CRISPR/Cas9 tools
- Applications of microbial pigments in food, cosmetics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and environmental remediation
- Key challenges and future directions in industrial scalability, toxicity testing, and AI-driven fermentation optimization
Why It Matters
This publication highlights how Streptomyces-derived pigments are not only safer and more sustainable but also multifunctional—holding immense potential to replace synthetic colorants across industries.
🔗 Read the Full Article:
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-025-04379-7
Congratulations to the Authors:
Richard Asah-Asante · Lushi Tang · Xiaowei Gong · Shiqi Fan · Chenjun Yan · Joseph Obiri Asante · Qingwei Zeng
We celebrate this important contribution to microbial biotechnology and look forward to seeing future innovations in sustainable pigment production!
