BIOSYNTHESIS OF ANTHRAQUINONE PIGMENT FROM SOME FUNGI

Abstract

In the recent years, there has been an increasing trend towards replacement of synthetic colorants with natural pigments due to the drawbacks of synthetic dyes and the toxicity problems caused by synthetic colorants, it is therefore, essential to explore various natural sources is of worldwide interest and is gaining importance. Microorganisms are known to produce a variety of pigments. The fungal pigment is one of the best alternate sources to replace synthetic pigments such as anthraquinone. Anthraquinone, is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing two opposite carbonyl groups (C=O) at 9, 10 position. In nature, it occurs in plants, fungi, and lichens as a principle material for coloring of yellow, orange, and reddish-brown. It represents a parent of a large class of natural products that were traditionally used in the dyes, drugs, and food stuffs. The present study aims to biosynthesis of fungal anthraquinone under different environmental and nutritional factors to optimizing its production commercially in Egypt through different strategies and reducing the cost of anthraquinone production by using different wastes. Results could be summarized in the following points: A) Isolation, screening, and identification: 1. Sixty of Fusarium isolates were isolated from different sources, twenty eight of them from soil and thirty two from infected plants. 2. Twelve isolates giving the highest pigment producers were screened for toxin (fusaric acid) production to exclude isolates produce toxin coupled with pigment. 3. Five of them showed no capability to produce this toxin. SUMMARY 112 Alshimaa A.M.A.Alshrquawey, M.Sc., 2016 4. Two efficient isolates one from clay soil and other from infected plant (Cucumis sativus) were identified as Fusarium. arthosporioides and Fusarium verticellioides, respectively. 5. The production of anthraquinone by selected fungal strains was characterized and identified by HPLC.