Influence of temperature of incubation and type of growth medium on pigmentation in Serratia marcescens

Author: Williams, R.P.; Gott, C.L.; Qadri, S.M.; Scott, R.H.

Description: Maximal amounts of prodigiosin were synthesized in either minimal or complete medium after incubation of cultures at 27 C for 7 days. Biosynthesis of prodigiosin began earlier and the range of temperature for formation was greater in complete medium. No prodigiosin was formed in either medium when cultures were incubated at 38 C; however, after a shift to 27 C, pigmentation ensued, provided the period of incubation at 38 C was not longer than 36 hr for minimal medium or 48 hr for complete medium. Washed, nonpigmented cells grown in either medium at 38 C for 72 hr could synthesize prodigiosin when suspended in saline at 27 C when casein hydrolysate was added. These suspensions produced less prodigiosin at a slower rate than did cultures growing in casein hydrolysate at 27 C without prior incubation at 38 C. Optimal concentration of casein hydrolysate for pigment formation by suspensions was 0.4%; optimal temperature was 27 C. Anaerobic incubation, shift back to 38 C, killing cells by heating, or chloramphenicol (25 mug/ml) inhibited pigmentation. Suspensions of washed cells forming pigment reached pH 8.0 to 8.3 rapidly and maintained this pH throughout incubation for 7 days. Measurements of viable count and of protein, plus other data, indicated that cellular multiplication did not occur in suspensions of washed cells during pigment formation. By this procedure utilizing a shift down in temperature, biosynthesis of prodigiosin by washed cells could be separated from multiplication of bacteria.

Subject headings: Anti-Bacterial Agents/biosynthesis; Bacterial Proteins/biosynthesis; Bacteriological Techniques; Caseins; Cell Division; Chloramphenicol/pharmacology; Culture Media; Hot Temperature; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Oxygen; Pigments, Biological/biosynthesis; Prodigiosin/biosynthesis; Protein Hydrolysates; Pyrroles/biosynthesis; Saccharomyces; Serratia marcescens/cytology/drug effects/growth & development/metabolism; Spectrophotometry; Temperature; Time Factors

Publication year: 1971

Journal or book title: Journal of Bacteriology

Volume: 106

Issue: 2

Pages: 438-443

Find the full text: https://www.strategian.com/fulltext/Williams1971.pdf

Find more like this one (cited by): https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=1540647014851362923&as_sdt=1000005&sciodt=0,16&hl=en

Type: Journal Article

Serial number: 1615