Living with Pigments: The Colour Palette of Antarctic Life

Abstract

The production of pigments is a common feature that may help microorganisms to cope with the harsh conditions found in Antarctica. They have functions such as protection against UV irradiation and superoxide and nitrogen reactive species (antioxidant activity) and modulation of membrane fluidity under cold stress. In addition, they act as antibiotics, modulating the microbial communities in their natural environments, and harvest light for increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis, thus influencing the biogeochemical cycles. This chapter deals with the chemistry and the biological role of microbial pigments (except chlorophylls) in the Antarctic environment and also includes a brief overview of the potential biotechnological use of pigments.