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Characterization and Enhanced Production of Prodigiosin from the Spoiled Coconut

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Abstract

Many bacterial secondary products are bioactive substances that play an important role in biotechnology and pharmacology (e.g., as antibiotics or antitumor agents). Over the past few years interest in prodigiosin has been increased due to its promising anti-cancer activity. Prodigiosin is also of potential clinical interest because it is reported to have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-protozoal/anti-malarial, and immunosuppressive activity. Thus there is a need to develop a high-throughput and cost-effective bioprocess for the production of prodigiosin. In the present study, Serratia rubidaea was isolated from colored portion of a spoiled coconut and further it was authenticated by MTCC, India. The various parameters like temperature, pH, salt concentration, and precursors were optimized for the production of prodigiosin. We now report that the pigment production was higher in our isolated strain than S. marcescens. It was observed that prodigiosin binds with plastic, paper, and fibers and thus in near future, it can also be used as a natural dye.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to VIT Management for their support and encouragements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014, Tamil Nadu, India

    R. Siva, K. Subha, D. Bhakta, A. R. Ghosh & S. Babu

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  1. R. Siva
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  2. K. Subha
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  3. D. Bhakta
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  4. A. R. Ghosh
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Correspondence to R. Siva.

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Siva, R., Subha, K., Bhakta, D. et al. Characterization and Enhanced Production of Prodigiosin from the Spoiled Coconut. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 166, 187–196 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-011-9415-8

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