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Serratia marcescens produces the most important and interesting pigment called Prodigiosin, which is red in color. This bacterial pigment has a wide range of biological activities and has been recognized for its antimicrobial property. It is my absolute favorite bacterial pigment and here's why...
Serratia marcescens is a rod-shaped, Gram negative, facultatively-anaerobic bacterium and opportunistic pathogen that produces a red bacterial pigment called Prodigiosin. A common name for this bacterium is "The read diaper syndrome".
The red pigment (prodigiosin) produced by Serratia marcescens has an antibiotic activity. Its production in Serratia marcescens is susceptible to temperature and therefore it is inhibited at higher temperatures. In natural marine habitats, prodigiosin is thought to be useful against harmful algae as a biological control agent. Check out the above article on more characteristics of prodigiosin pigment from Serratia marcescens.
Prodigiosin raises the SPF (sunscreen protection factor) of commercial sunscreens. Prodigiosin can be utilized as a substitute for synthetic pigments that are employed in the food industry. Its main drawbacks are its sensitivity, solubility, and short stability when exposed to high pH, light, and temperatures.
Prodigiosin has a significant impact on a variety of cellular targets, including cells that are resistant to numerous drugs. The fact that this specific pigment prodigiosin showed selectivity towards cancer cells while showing little to no harm toward normal cell types is particularly interesting to note.
