STUDIES ON THE PIGMENTS OF PENICILLIUM HERQUEI

Abstract

Several minor pigments from cultures of Penicillium herquei are described. One of these has been identified as the naphthalic anhydride which is formed when atrovenetin is oxidized with alkaline peroxide. Evidence is presented which suggests that the characteristic green pigment found in this fungus is formed by a reaction analogous to that between ninhydrin and amino derivatives. In P. herquei the 1,2,3-trione is probably generated by mild oxidation of perinaphthenone pigments known to be produced by this organism.