Optimization And Production Of Bio-Colorant From Fungi

Abstract

Background: Fungi are biologically active producers of pigmented compounds that can be used as food product additives or as an antibacterial constituent in food and pharmaceutical industries. It is a powerhouse of bioactive secondary metabolites, and many of these compounds have been found to have important applications in the antibiotics and food preservation industries.

 Objective: Aim of the research is to exploit the indigenous diversity of the fungal population for biocolornant production and their application in the pharmaceutical, wax, and textile industry.

 Materials and method: From the sample source primary isolation of pigment-producing fungi were isolated. Further optimization of the medium for pigment production was carried out based on different carbon, nitrogen, mineral salts, pH, and temperature. Extracted crude pigment was characterized and purified by the solubility with different solvents, TLC, and column chromatography. The potential activity of the pigment is confirmed by the antibiotic sensitivity test and coloring of the candle and cloth.

 Results: In our study, we isolated the fungi from the garbage soil. Out of 10 isolates from which 3 were selected for the study. Then the selected isolates are identified by microscopic examination and confirmed as Aspergillus sp., and Monascus sp. Optimization studies were carried out to enhance pigment production. The optimized condition for the production of pigment was best in the presence of glucose, peptone, magnesium sulfate as carbon, nitrogen, and mineral salts sources. The maximum growth is attained at the pH of 4 and temperature 25-degree Celsius. The extracted pigment was purified using column chromatography by collecting the 15 fractions in each isolate. Among the various fractions, fraction 3 (orange J1), fraction 5 (J2), and fraction 5 (J3) show only one spot in the Thin Layer Chromatography retention factor value is 0.4 and 0.6. The antibacterial activity of the crude extract was subjected to the agar well diffusion method at different concentrations (25µl,50µl,75µl,100µl). Each crude extract was tested against the gram-positive organism of (Bacillus cereus) and the gram-negative organism (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. The results of J2 and J3 were observed as the zone of inhibition against the targeted strains at 75µl and 100µl.

 Conclusion: This preliminary highlight of the study is to reveal that fungal pigments J2 and J3 has the ability of antibacterial activity and coloring of J1 isolate in candle and cloth which is effective in dying textile.