What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to bioproduce and evaluate the biological activities of prodigiosin from Serratia marcescens HMS.

April 27, 2026Open Access

Bioproduction, characterization, and evaluation of the biological activities of prodigiosin from Serratia marcescens HMS

Key Points

This research aims to bioproduce and evaluate the biological activities of prodigiosin from Serratia marcescens HMS.
Isolated Serratia marcescens HMS from air using 16S rRNA sequencing for identification.
Optimized pigment production in LB medium at pH 7 and 30 °C with shaking at 150 rpm.
Used acetone for pigment extraction and characterized prodigiosin using various analytical methods including TLC and HPLC.
Maximum pigment production achieved was 6.98 mg/L in LB medium.
Antimicrobial activity demonstrated with a 12 mm inhibition zone against Bacillus subtilis.
Cytotoxicity observed in HepG2 and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 61.12 ± 2.64 μg/mL and 87.86 ± 4.18 μg/mL, respectively.

Abstract

Prodigiosin is a bioactive red pigment with antimicrobial and anticancer properties, offering a natural substitute for synthetic colorants. A pigment-producing strain, Serratia marcescens HMS, was isolated from air and identified via 16S rRNA sequencing (GenBank Accession No. PP456732.1; 100% similarity). Acetone yielded the highest pigment extraction efficiency (4.54 mg/L). Optimal production (6.98 mg/L) occurred in LB medium (pH 7) at 30 °C under shaking conditions (150 rpm). Sweet potato peels served as an effective low-cost and sustainable agricultural waste substrate for extracellular pigment production. The purified pigment was confirmed as prodigiosin using TLC, HPLC, FTIR, and GC–MS (C20H25N3O; m/z 323). The pigment displayed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis (inhibition zone: 12 mm), cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF-7 cells (IC50: 61.12 ± 2.64 and 87.86 ± 4.18 μg/mL, respectively), and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50: 380.27 ± 8.15 μg/mL). These results establish S. marcescens HMS as an efficient prodigiosin producer and highlight the pigment’s potential for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

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