i want to more and more information about the topic "pigmentation in bacteria"
Pigmentation is known to protect cells from damage due to sunlight. Resistance to such factors as UV light, heavy metals, pollutants, and other antimicrobial substances such as antibiotics may be encoded by extrachromosomal DNA.
Some bacteria produce pigments which can be seen after they grow into colonies. Pigments can help identify bacteria. For example, some bacteria produce water soluble pigments which spread through the medium in which they grow. Others produce pigments that are soluble in fat. To determine this one can remove some of a pigmented colony and shake it in oil. If the oil becomes pigmented the pigment is fat soluble.
Sometimes a species of bacteria will only produce their pigments under certain environmental circumstances. For example, Serrattia marsescens produces a brick red pigment when grown at room temperature, but no pigment when grown at body temperature (37 degrees Celsius). Other species produce pigment as the colonies age or when a particular nutrient is present in the media.
Some bacteria produce pigments which can be seen after they grow into colonies. Pigments can help identify bacteria. For example, some bacteria produce water soluble pigments which spread through the medium in which they grow. Others produce pigments that are soluble in fat. To determine this one can remove some of a pigmented colony and shake it in oil. If the oil becomes pigmented the pigment is fat soluble.
Sometimes a species of bacteria will only produce their pigments under certain environmental circumstances. For example, Serrattia marsescens produces a brick red pigment when grown at room temperature, but no pigment when grown at body temperature (37 degrees Celsius). Other species produce pigment as the colonies age or when a particular nutrient is present in the media.