UNVEILING THE BLUE: INVESTIGATION OF PYOCYANIN PIGMENT PRODUCTION FROM PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Pigments are the molecules that give color by absorbing light in the visible spectrum. Pyocyanin is a redox-active, water-soluble, blue-green, phenazine pigment produced predominantly (95%) by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is a gram-negative, aerobic bacilli. This pigment is utilized in the fabric industry as a natural dye with chromogenic properties and in agriculture as a biocontrol agent. This research aimed to synthesize, purify, and elucidate the structure of pyocyanin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was obtained and maintained on nutrient agar. Pyocyanin was screened and produced in different broth media. The extraction was performed using the chloroform dilution method, and purification was achieved through Thin Layer and Gel Permeation chromatography. Their structure was elucidated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and the antibacterial action of the purified pigment was assessed using the Agar Well Diffusion Technique. The results indicated that green-pigmented colonies were produced on agar plates and in broth, the pyocyanin concentration was 4.8 µg/mL with an Rf value of 0.70, and inhibited the Staphylococcus aureus with a 15 mm zone of inhibition.