Bacterioruberin: natural pigment for cosmetics & food industries
A powerful natural carotenoid from haloarchaea delivering antioxidant, protective, and health-enhancing benefits for cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and food industries.
Publisher: Alicante University
Technology: Advanced Manufacturing
Industry: All Industries, Health, Other
INTRODUCTION
Bacterioruberin is a natural carotenoid pigment extracted from haloarchaea, characterized by exceptional biological potency—100 to 300 times stronger than most natural carotenoids. Available as a solid or liquid extract, it can be seamlessly integrated into processed foods, nutraceuticals, and cosmetic formulations as an antioxidant, UV protectant, or colourant.
Beyond its vibrant coloration, Bacterioruberin exhibits antitumoral, antilipidic, antiglycemic, and immunomodulatory activities, providing comprehensive health benefits in a single multifunctional ingredient. Its superior efficacy allows use at lower concentrations, reducing production costs while delivering high-value, sustainable, and health-promoting solutions for multiple industries.
FEATURES/BENEFITS
Bacterioruberin offers multifunctional biological properties that make it a powerful ingredient for cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and food applications.
- High antioxidant capacity: protects against oxidative stress.
- Antitumoral effects: supports cancer therapy and prevention.
- Antilipidic and antiglycemic: helps manage lipid and glucose levels.
- Immunomodulatory: enhances immune system performance.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Bacterioruberin is produced from extremophilic microorganisms like Haloferax mediterranei. It can be offered as a solid or solution form for use in food, cosmetics, and nutraceutical formulations. The pigment is more potent than other natural carotenoids, providing broader health benefits at lower concentrations.
USE CASE
Scientific Validation
The efficacy and multifunctional potential of Bacterioruberin have been extensively demonstrated through peer-reviewed scientific studies led by the University of Alicante. These works confirm its antioxidant, antitumoral, antiglycemic, and immunomodulatory activities across various biological models, positioning it as a next-generation natural pigment for health-oriented industries.
- A New Era for Using Natural Pigments: The Case of the C50 Carotenoid Called Bacterioruberin. Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2025. DOI: 10.1002/bab.70072
- Bacterioruberin extract from Haloferax mediterranei induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in myeloid leukaemia cell lines. Sci Rep, 2025. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-06999-3
- Halocins and C50 Carotenoids from Haloarchaea: Potential Natural Tools against Cancer. Mar Drugs, 2024. DOI: 10.3390/md22100448
- Bacterioruberin: Biosynthesis, Antioxidant Activity, and Therapeutic Applications in Cancer and Immune Pathologies. Mar Drugs, 2024. DOI: 10.3390/md22040167
- Haloarchaeal carotenoids exert an in vitro antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cell lines. Sci Rep, 2023. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34419-x
- Carbon Source Influences Antioxidant, Antiglycemic, and Antilipidemic Activities of Haloferax mediterranei Carotenoid Extracts. Mar Drugs, 2022. DOI: 10.3390/md20110659
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