Philippine Journal of Science
151 (2): 615-641, April 2022
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 06 Sep 2021
Screening, Characterization, and Isolation
of Pigments from Bacteria in Mesophotic Depths
of the Benham Bank Seamount, Philippine Rise Region
Christopher G. Batbatan1,2§, Albert Remus R. Rosana3*§,
Kleinberg X. Fernandez3, Saul M. Rojas1,4, Hildie Maria E. Nacorda5,
Asuncion K. Raymundo1, and Nacita B. Lantican1*
1Microbiology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
2Department of Biology, Central Mindanao University
University Town, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon 8714 Philippines
3Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G2 Canada
4College of Agriculture, Isabela State University, Echague, Isabela 3309 Philippines
5School of Environmental Science and Management,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031 Philippines
*Corresponding author: nblantican@up.edu.ph; rosana@ualberta.ca
§These authors contributed equally
[Download]
Batbatan C et al. 2022. Screening, Characterization, and Isolation of Pigments from Bacteria in Mesophotic Depths of
the Benham Bank Seamount, Philippine Rise Region. Philipp J Sci 151(2): 615–641. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.02.06
ABSTRACT
The exploration for pigment-producing bacteria and structurally novel pigment continues to increase, and the marine environment has recently become an attractive research site for these investigations because of its rich yet untapped biodiversity. In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) profiling of the microbial pigments produced by marine heterotrophic bacteria were described. Seven phenotypically distinct isolates of marine pigmented heterotrophic bacteria (MPHB) were isolated from near-bottom waters and coral reef sediments at mesophotic depths of the Benham Bank Seamount – namely, isolates BR14, BR61, BR63, BR100, BR101, BR144, and BR146. Four promising isolates were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and revealed that strains BR61 and BR100 were related to members of the genus Cytobacillus, whereas isolates BR144 and BR146 clustered with Meridianimaribacter flavus and Pseudoalteromonas rubra, respectively. Growth of the seven isolates on three media – natural sea water (NSW) Reasoner’s 2A (R2A), marine agar (MA), and tryptic soy agar – revealed variable pigment production and growth yield. MA appeared to be a superior substrate, resulting in darker pigmentation and higher biomass yield. Through a liquid-liquid partitioning approach, isolates BR14 and BR100 produced pigments that were acetone-soluble, whereas isolates BR101, BR144, and BR146 are hexane soluble. Moreover, the BR146 red pigment was proposed to be a mixture of putative prodiginine analogs. The putative prodiginines produced by isolate BR146 can stain fabrics, supporting a proof-of-concept that marine bacteria can be utilized as fabric colorants. The data presented here provided new insights into the utilization of local Philippine marine microbial resources for natural marine pigments with industrial applications.