Red bioactive pigment from Himalayan Janthinobacterium sp. ERMR3:09: optimization, characterization, and potential...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Prodigiosin, a red pigment from Serratia marcescens, possesses antimicrobial and anticancer properties with low toxicity.
• Atypical microbial sources are being explored for novel bioactive compound production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the production of bioactive prodigiosin from a novel Janthinobacterium sp. ERMR3:09 isolated from a glacial moraine.
• To optimize culture conditions for enhanced prodigiosin yield and evaluate its bioactivities.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and identification of Janthinobacterium sp. ERMR3:09.
• Statistical optimization of culture parameters (glucose, peptone, temperature, pH).
• Upscaled production, pigment purification (UPLC), thermostability testing, antimicrobial assays, and cytotoxicity evaluation (A549, HeLa cell lines).

Main Results:

• Optimized conditions (1.0% glucose, 0.08% peptone, 20°C, pH 7) increased pigment yield four-fold.
• Upscaled production in 8 L yielded higher pigment in 48 hours.
• Purified prodigiosin was thermostable and exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against fungal and Gram-positive bacteria.
• Significant cytotoxicity was observed against A549 (IC50 42.2 μM) and HeLa (IC50 36.11 μM) cell lines.

Conclusions:

• Janthinobacterium sp. ERMR3:09 is a viable source for prodigiosin production.
• Optimized conditions and upscaled production significantly enhance pigment yield.
• The produced prodigiosin possesses significant antimicrobial and anticancer potential, suggesting its utility in developing non-synthetic therapeutic agents.