title: Raman spectroscopy of microbial pigments.
abstract: Raman spectroscopy is a rapid nondestructive technique providing spectroscopic and structural information on both organic and inorganic molecular compounds. Extensive applications for the method in the characterization of pigments have been found. Due to the high sensitivity of Raman spectroscopy for the detection of chlorophylls, carotenoids, scytonemin, and a range of other pigments found in the microbial world, it is an excellent technique to monitor the presence of such pigments, both in pure cultures and in environmental samples. Miniaturized portable handheld instruments are available; these instruments can be used to detect pigments in microbiological samples of different types and origins under field conditions.
authors.affiliation: Charles University in Prague, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jehlička
authors.forename: Howell G M
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Aharon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oren
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000737:chemistry*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000032:analysis*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological