Determination of optimize situations for the enhancement in producing of prodigiosin pigment from Serratia marcescens

Subject Areas : Bacteriology

Anita  Khanafari ¹ (Science Faculty, Azad University North Branch, Tehran, Iran)
Fatemeh  Ahmadifakhr ² (Department of Microbiology, Science & Research Azad University, Fars Branch, Marvdasht, Iran)
Reza  Marandi ³ (Science Faculty, Azad University North Branch, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2008-11-15 Accepted : 2009-01-14 Published : 2009-01-01

Keywords: Serratia marcescens, Pigment, Prodigiosin, UV Spectrophotometer,

Abstract :

Background and objectives: Nowadays, the synthesized biopigments by bacteria possess enormous efficiency as medicinally important products. One of the most important biopigments is tripyrrole red pigment of Serratia marcescens that is called prodigiosin. Resent studies reported antifungal and anticancer activity for them. The aim of this work from an industrial point of view is the necessity of obtaining a suitable medium to enhance the growth of Serratia marcescens and the pigment production. Materials and Methods: In this research Serratia marcescens PTCC 1111 was used. The enhancement of prodigiosin production on Peanut broth, Sesame seed broth, TSB, BHI and nutrient broth medium at 24, 28, 30 and 37°C by UV Spectrophotometer method at 535 nm was investigated. In the next process, Serratia marcescens grow in peanut broth was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm and by using organic solvents such as acetone, ethyl acetate, sodium sulphate, chloroform, dichloromethane and column chromatography, pigments got purified. Results: The result of this research determines the optimum situations for pigment production as follow Temperature 28°C, Culture medium: Peanut seed broth containing significant fatty acid source. The results of pigment purification showed only one peak by using UV Spectrophotometer at 535 nm. Conclusion: With regard to importance of biopigment application, optimization in large scale is recommended.