Do the pigments differ chemotaxonomically fungi belonging to genusFusarium?

Biosynthesis of bikaverin - red pigment responsible for characteristic colour ofFusarium cultures and known as vacuolation and aging factor - by 60Fusarium isolates belonging to 9 species was examined. We observed that bikaverin is a common metabolite produced by species of Liseola, Mar tiella, Elegans and Dlaminiella sections.Twenty nine isolates of fourFusarium species (F. moniliforme, F. subglutinans, F. proliferatum andF. anthophilum), belonging to the following Liseola section were investigated on their ability to biosynthesis of secondary metabolites bikaverin, 8-methylfusarubin, 3,8-dimethylfusarubin, 8-methylbostrycoidin, nectriafurone and fusarin C. All examined isolates of section Liseola formed bikaverin and 8-methylfusarubin, while 21 isolates additionally produced 8-methylbostrycoidin. OnlyF. moniliforme isolates were able to form fusarin C. We did not observe chemotaxonomical differences betweenFusarium, species according their ability to biosynthesis of such secondary metabolites as bikaverin, 8-methylfusarubin and 8-methylbostrycoidin.