Editorial: Sustainable Production of Bioactive Pigments

Pigments are compounds that are perceived by humans to have color. Natural pigments such as chlorophylls are the source of green in all plants and the most abundant pigments in nature. Natural pigments are also responsible for yellow, orange, red, blue, and purple colors found in nature (Choo, 2019). Anthocyanins, carotenoids, and betalains are the common plant pigments found in nature besides chlorophyll (Choo, 2018). Besides plant pigments, pigments are derived to a lesser extent from insects or animals. Emerging sources of pigments are from microalgae and microorganisms (Morales-Oyervides et al., 2020). Pigments are considered to be bioactive if they have an interaction with, or have an effect on, cell tissue in the human body. There is huge interest in bioactive pigments that render beneficial health effects on humans. Consumers are driving the demand for natural food compounds such as bioactive pigments. However, continual prospecting of terrestrial or aquatic natural resources for natural food compounds will impose a huge demand on these resources. Sustainable production of bioactive pigments is therefore needed to ensure continuity of use for future generations and allow feasible increase in the utilization of these bioactive pigments.