Abstract: | Countercurrent distribution is capable of resolving mixtures of closely related prodigiosene pigments. Syntrophic pigment produced by several pairs of Serratia marcescens color mutants was identified as prodigiosin (2-methyl-3-amyl-6-methoxyprodigiosene) by countercurrent distribution, soda lime pyrolysis, and other techniques. The metabolic block of mutant strain H-462, derived from parent strain HY, was located between the blocks of mutant strains OF and WF, both derived from parent strain Nima. |