CHARACTERIZATION OF CARTENOID PIGMENTS FROM Sargassum polycystum AND ITS ASSOCIATED BACTERIA

Abstract

Several bacteria are capable to produce various carotenoid pigments, and they may become potential bioresources
for pigment production. Bacteria produce pigments for various reasons and it plays an important role. They may
help to protect their host from high exposure of UV-light. However, the ability of marine bacteria to produce natural
pigments has been less studied. In this study, we tried to isolate and characterize marine pigment-producing bacteria
of brown seaweed macroalgae, Sargassum polycystum from Teluk Awur, Jepara. Out of seven bacterial isolates,
only one bacterium, SJ04, positively contains pigments. Pigments analysis using HPLC method showed that
pigment composition was slightly different between host and associated bacterium. Pheophorbide a, Fucoxanthin,
and β-caroten were detected from S. polycystum as host, whereas Pheophorbide a, and Neoxanthin were detected
from the associated bacteria (SJ04). For bacterium identification, molecular genetic approach based on 16S rRNA
gene sequence showed that strain SJ04 was genetically closely related to Brachybacterium zhongshanense with
97.97% homology. The opportunity to realize a safe and environmentally friendly with low price , as well as
opportunities to find new sources of pigments from bacteria.