Extraction and quantitative analysis of the blue-green pigment marennine synthesized by the diatom Haslea ostrearia

This study reports further information on 'mareninne,' a water-soluble blue-green pigment synthesized by the diatom Haslea ostrearia, which is essential to the greening of maturing oysters in French production areas. The extraction process is reported, as well as preliminary characterization of a partially purified marennine extract, including quantitative spectrophotometric analysis of intracellular pigment. A mean specific extinction coefficient, E super(1%) sub(1 cm) = 17.2 at 669 nm, is proposed. Results for quantitative determination of marennine accumulated in cells during batch cultures are presented, and their importance for pigment production is considered in relation to potential industrial applications.