• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.283-289
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• 1998

A bacterial strain KH-95 producing a high concentration of red pigment was isolated from the soil. The strain KH-95 was identified as a strain of Serratia sp. based on morphological and physiological characteristics. The optimal temperature and initial pH range for the production of pigment were 28$^{\circ}C$ and 7.0-8.0, respectively. The red pigment was purified through solvent extraction and silica gel column chromatography. Analyzing the structure of this pigment by instrumental analysis, it was identified as prodigiosin-like compound. In optimization of carbon and nitrogen sources, all carbon sources tested in this work inhibited the production of pigment except oils. Casein fumed out to be the most suitable nitrogen source for pigment production. Other nitrogen sources such as yeast extract, beef extract and peptone showed good cell growth but potently inhibited the production of pigment.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.431-437
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• 1998

Optimal media and cultural conditions for the production of prodigiosin-like pigment were established using Serratia sp. KH-95. Glucose and phosphate(K2PO4) stimulated the cell growth, but inhibited the production of pigment at concentration levels of above 10 g/L and 2.0 g/L, respectively. Addition of soy been oil or rice oil to the production medium accelerated cell growth up to more than 2-3 times, but the production of prodigiosin increased about 15-20% in spite of the good cell growth. The effect of pH on the production of pigment was investigated in a 5 liter-bioreactor. When the pH of culture broth was maintained below 8.0, most of pigment was attached to the surface of cells. When the pH of culture broth was above 8.5, however, about 70% of total pigment was suspended in the supernatant of the broth. The cell growth and production of pigment were inhibited at dissolved oxygen concentration of below 10% of air-saturation.