• 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.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.459-464
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• 2019

This study aimed to identify and characterize the antimicrobial activity of prodigiosin produced by Serratia sp. $PDGS^{120915}$ isolated from stream water in Busan, Korea; the identification was performed using phonological, biochemical, and molecular techniques, including 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Prodigiosin from the bacterial culture was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and its antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were evaluated against 10 intestinal pathogenic gram-positive and negative bacteria. The results revealed that the isolated prodigiosin exhibited high antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus; further, the isolated prodigiosin showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between $3{\mu}g/ml$ and 30 mg/ml, but they were not active against Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, prodigiosin isolated from Serratia sp. $PDGS^{120915}$ showed high antimicrobial activity against intestinal pathogenic bacteria and has potential applications in the development of new antimicrobial agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2015

Prodigiosin, a member of natural red pigment family, is produced by Serratia marcescens, and characterized by a common pyrrolylpyrromethane skeleton. This pigment has been reported with the effects of anticancer, immunosuppressant, antifungal, and algicidal activities. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital infections. In this study, anti-MRSA properties of prodigiosin isolated from Serratia sp. PDGS 120915 were investigated. We identified and purified prodigiosin using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and evaluated anti-MRSA activity. Purified prodigiosin inhibited the growth of MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of prodigiosin were determined to $32{\mu}g/ml$ against the MRSA strains. Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices of ampicillin and penicillin were indicated synergistic effects of prodigiosin on MRSA.