Pigment production by identified Pseudofusicoccum adansoniae: extract production, Cytotoxicity activity and diketopiperazines identified

Abstract This study aimed to molecularly identify an isolated fungus that produces a burgundy pigment, and to verify the influence of the type of light on the growth of the fungus and on the production of the pigment in submerged fermentation. In addition, a cytotoxicity assay was performed with HepG2, SCC4, BJ and MRC-5 cells, and the identification of the secondary metabolites produced by the fungus was performed by NMR. The isolated fungus was identified as Pseudofusicoccum adansoniae, which demonstrated better growth and pigment production under yellow light. The extract produced did not show cytotoxicity. Among the isolated compounds, cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val) and cyclo(L-Leu-L-Pro) (Diketopiperazines) have already been described in food and are produced by different organisms, presenting several beneficial biological activities. The identified fungus is a promising producer of biopigments, whose crude extract does not show cytotoxicity. The isolated compounds exhibit interesting biological activities in the food area, such as antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant actions, making it a viable option for application in food as a natural pigment.