Characterization of Pigment Production by Endophytic Rhodotorula mucilaginosa MGI from Tagetes erecta

Abstract

Due to the hazardous effects of synthetic pigments, natural pigments are gaining popularity. Among natural sources microorganisms have become a major source of numerous industrially essential items and their use for getting various natural products have expanded dramatically in recent years. In the present study, 9 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Tagetes erecta. On screening, yeast strain MGI was selected for further study which was identified as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa MGI. The pigment was intracellular, and the color of the crude extract was orange. The extract was subjected to characterization by UV-visible spectrophotometer and was purified by column phase chromatography, after purification two pigmented fractions were obtained. These fractions on characterization by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer affirms that they belong to carotenoid group of pigments. Orange (F1) and yellow (F2) fractions were anticipated as astaxanthin and beta carotene respectively. Moreover, the bioactive potential of pigmented fractions was investigated which manifested that F1 exhibited a maximum antioxidant activity of about 77% and F2 showed the highest zone of inhibition of 38 mm against Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, this study reflects that an endophytic yeast strain has the potential for the production of bioactive microbial pigments.