Characterization of a red pigment-antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp. strain NRC-C7

The streptomycete strain NRC-C 7 isolated from some Egyptian soil samples, produces a red-coloured pH indicator antibiotic active against gram positive bacteria. The producing organism belongs to the grey series of the genus Streptomyces and has grey coloured aerial mycelium with violet pigmented substrate mycelium, the violet pigment does not diffuse into the agar medium. Glucose sodium nitrate medium proved the most suitable medium for the production of this antibiotic. The pigment was extracted from the broth and purified. The solubility, Rf values, minimal inhibiting concentrations, optical rotation, UV, and IR spectra were studied. Melting point 180, elemental analysis: carbon 51.71%, hydrogen 6.25%, and oxygen 42.04%.