Isolation and Identification of Pigment-Producing Bacteria from Soil and Water in Oke-Osun, Osogbo, Osun State

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Pigments can be natural or synthetic and play an essential role in various industries, such as textiles, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Objective: This study aims to identify pigment-producing bacteria from soil and water samples, which serve as natural habitats for diverse microbial communities capable of producing pigments. Methodology: Soil and water samples were randomly collected from multiple locations in Oke-Osun, Osogbo, and Osun State and cultured on nutrient agar, King B medium, and glycerol-supplemented agar. Microscopy and biochemical tests were used to determine the morphological and biochemical properties of the isolated bacterial strains, and molecular characterisation was further used to identify specific isolates. Results: Seven pigment-producing bacteria were isolated. The pigments include green, yellow, brown, orange and red colourations. The identified bacteria include Microccocus spp. (yellow), Serratia spp. (red), Bacillus spp. (brown), Pseudomonas spp. (green), with isolate B4 identified specifically as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the presence of diverse pigment-producing bacteria in soil and water environments of Oke-Osun, Osogbo, and established glycerol-supplemented medium as a favourable substrate for enhanced pigment production. These bacterial pigments possess promising potential for application as natural colourants in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and textile industries. Recommendations: This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on microbial pigments and their industrial applications, and also offers an alternative pathway for developing an environmentally friendly pigment industry.