Natural pigments are attractive among consumers and industries. They are generally safer than synthetic colorants, produced from renewable sources that pose only low health risks, and they are often associated with typical taste and flavor. In addition, natural pigments also have medical use for humans, such as in treatment of cancer, as antioxidants or to improve immune reactions. Chlorophylls, carotenoids, curcuminoids and anthocyanins are examples of natural pigments which are used already, and suitable to be further developed commercially.

Chlorophylls, the green of plants are the basis to photosynthesis and life on earth. The major function of chlorophyll in many applications is cleaner, regulator and cell regenerator. Chlorophylls are part of our daily menu where they have been associated with nutrient digestion, cleaning blood circulation, maintaining acid-base balance, reducing bad breath and maintaining a balanced digestion system. In medicine, they are used as photodynamic agents in cancer therapy.

Carotenoids are known as red-to-orange-colored pigments found in vegetables, fruits and certain animals. One of the many physiological functions of carotenoids is that of a vitamin A precursor. They are used in cancer therapy, as antioxidants, in healing certain light-sensitive-diseases, and in sunscreens.

Curcuminoids are yellow pigments commonly found in Zingiberaceae such as turmeric and temu lawak. Curcuminoids are well-known for their antioxidant, anti-inflamatori, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, antibacterial and several other activities.

Anthocyanins are a large group of pigments that are responsible for pink to violet color of many fruits, blossoms and leaves. Anthocyanins also have health function, such as antioxidants, cancer prevention, and antiinfectives. Some anthocyanins are, exploited industrially in cosmetics and nutriitive beverages.

The potential of natural pigments in maintaining health and in treating certain diseases, and the related industrial prospects provide opportunities to Indonesia as a country which is rich in terrestrial and marine biodiversity and natural resources. The unexplored potential includes micro and macro algae in Indonesian seas, fungi, exotic plants etc gives important prospect towards further exploration. It depends on Indonesian researchers who are willing to work on those beautiful molecules, to generate valuable information as well as high-quality products.

The Ma Chung Research Center for Photosynthetic Pigments (MRCPP) of Ma Chung University together with the Bureau for Planning Foreign Cooperation, the Department of National Education, and the Magister of Biology at Satya Wacana Christian University organize in early 2010 a Natural Pigments Conference for South-East Asia (NP-SEA) by inviting science community around South-East Asia (scholars, researchers, industries and society) to participate.