Novel Raman signature evidences an unknown cyanobacterial pigment.

[en] From the first botanical characterization of cyanobacteria about two centuries ago to contemporary studies, only two categories of extracellular UV-screening pigments have been considered: scytonemin which is very well described and gloeocapsin, which remains enigmatic. In this study, we use Raman microspectroscopy to compare the extracellular EPS-associated pigment produced by the strain Chamaesiphon polonicus SAG 32.87 with gloeocapsins, scytonemins and other natural and synthetic pigments. Chemometrics analyses of Raman data reveal the existence of a third and new category of cyanobacterial extracellular pigment.

Disciplines :

Microbiology

Author, co-author :

Lara, Yannick ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology

Lambion, Alexandre ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology

Javaux, Emmanuelle ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology

Language :

English

Title :

Novel Raman signature evidences an unknown cyanobacterial pigment.

Publication date :

05 April 2026

Journal title :

Scientific Reports

eISSN :

2045-2322

Publisher :

Springer Science and Business Media LLC, England

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-46521-x

Funders :

BELSPO - Belgian Federal Science Policy Office
ULiège - Université de Liège

Available on ORBi :

since 18 May 2026

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