• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.377-384
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• 2024

Prodigiosin is a red pigment characterized by a common pyrrolylpyrromethane skeleton. It is produced by Serratia marcescens, Vibrio psychroerythrus, Hahella chejuensis, etc. Prodigiosin has been reported to possess anticancer, immunosuppressant, antifungal antimalarial, and algicidal activities. However, despite prodigiosin's diverse range of activities, its production rate is significantly low and biosynthesis conditions are difficult. Consequently, the selling price is high, and its usability is limited. This study aimed to increase the efficiency of prodigiosin production according to the culture conditions of Serratia. In this study, a bacterial strain PDGS¹²⁰⁹¹⁵ producing prodigiosin was isolated from lightly contaminated stream water in Busan and identified as a strain of Serratia sp. based on 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis and physiological characteristics. The reddish pigment from PDGS¹²⁰⁹¹⁵ was directly extracted using acidified ethanol, and a characterization analysis confirmed that it was a prodigiosin compound. The optimal conditions for pigment production were 25℃, pH 7, and 0% NaCl concentration for a duration of 14 hr. Furthermore, by treating carbon and nitrogen sources, such as fructose and beef extract, respectively, prodigiosin production increased approximately six-fold and four-fold. Among the minerals tested, 0.1% KCl was found to be the most effective for prodigiosin production. Moreover, casein was identified as the most suitable source for prodigiosin production.