An efficient method for isolation and separation of pigments from streptomyces alboflavus TD-1

Abstract

The awareness of human safety and environmental conservation has kindled fresh enthusiasm for natural sources of colours. Extraction of microbial pigments in relatively pure and concentrated form is the main technological challenge. This paper focuses on extracting and isolating pigments from the strain Streptomyces alboflavus TD-1 metabolites and the optimization of the extraction of the pigment. Preliminarily isolated four kinds of pigments by two modes of high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) elation. A ratio of hexane: ethyl acetate: methanol: water of 6:4:7:3 is the exact condition for isolating pigments as quickly as possible. The mode of forward rotating reverse connection can separated out the orange yellow, orange red, and rose red pigment, with positive connecting can isolated yellow pigment. Our results provide basic data for the application of functional micro-pigments.