Separation, quantification and characterisation of the pigment produced by Paecilomyces lilacinus TD16

Fungal pigments are important natural products with a wide range of applications. In this study, the purple-red pigment produced by the fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus TD16 (TD16 pigment) was separated with acidulated ethyl acetate and purified by silica gel column chromatography. Results of UV-visible spectrum and HPLC analyses showed that TD16 pigment is a new polyketide pigment with three absorption peaks at 228, 272 and 527 nm and a retention time of 11.4665 min distinct from those of other Paecilomyces-sourced pigments. Results of kinetic analysis and antimicrobial activity assay showed that TD16 pigment is a non-growth-associated secondary products with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity on both bacteria and fungi and thus of potential application in industry.[Formula: see text].