Bibliometric Mapping Using VOSviewer and Kinetic Modeling for Sustainable Bacterial Pigment Production

Bacterial pigments have been gaining interest in recent years as biologically derived alternatives to synthetic dyes because of their biological functions, importance, and possible industrial applications. This review combines bibliometric trends in VOSviewer with microbial growth rate models and bioprocess optimization to provide a comprehensive assessment of advances in bacterial pigments over recent years. The bibliographic trends between 2015 and 2025 reflect an increasing number of studies, led by China, along with international collaboration. The analysis reveals that the existing literature is largely concentrated on microbial characterization and pigment identification, whereas comparatively fewer studies address growth kinetics and systematic process optimization. Kinetic modeling consistently indicates that pigment formation is predominantly non-growth-associated and occurs mainly during the stationary phase, emphasizing the importance of optimization strategies focused on metabolic regulation rather than biomass maximization. Statistical optimization approaches, particularly response surface methodology following Plackett-Burman screening, have been widely applied and shown to significantly improve pigment yields at the laboratory scale. Overall, this review highlights the need to integrate bibliometric insights, kinetic understanding, and bioprocess optimization design to facilitate the scalable and sustainable production of bacterial pigments.