Bikaverin production by Fusarium species

Production of bikaverin has been examined in 130Fusarium isolates belonging to 21 species. The highest yield of bikaverin was produced on autoclaved rice — up to 2.5g/kg of dry culture. Bikaverin was produced by the following species:F verticillioides, F sacchari varsubglutinans, F proliferatum, F anthophilum, F oxysporum, F dlamini, F nygamai, F napiforme, andF solani. SpeciesF coeruleum, F poae, F sporotrichioides, F tricinctum, F chlamydosporum, F culmorum, F graminearum, F cerealis (F crookwellense), F avenaceum, F acuminatum, andF equiseti did not produce bikaverin. The production of bikaverin determines the colour of the mentionedFusarium species cultures on agar media and on rice. The pigment has indicator properties and changes colour from red in acidic solution to violet-blue in alkaline. The role it plays in fungus metabolism is not elucidated.