Chromatographic separation of the pigment fractions from a Serratia marcescens strain.

A procedure was developed for the separation of pigment fractions in a wild-type Serratia marcescens strain. Separation was achieved by column chromatography and elution with several organic solvents. At least six pigment fractions were obtained from the alumina columns by this technique, whereas only four fractions had been reported previously. Spectral and elemental analyses indicate that, in S. marcescens, prodigiosin is a complex of six fractions, differing in absorption spectra while retaining the general characteristics of the whole pigment.