摘要：AbstractObjectiveThere is a growing demand for colourants of natural origin in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and textile sectors. Previously, our group has screened a fungal species from forest soil, identified asPenicillium europium.The isolated fungus transformed the longifolene into various metabolites, of which 12 were isolated in pure form, with potential to be utilized in the perfumery industry. This study aimed to isolate and identify novel fungal pigments fromPenicillium europium.MethodsThe current study showcases the extraction and identification of fungal pigment fromPenicillium europiumusing different spectral studies. The strain was isolated from forest soil, Western Ghats, India, and was found to be capable of using longifolene as the sole carbon source. The yellowish pink coloured pigment-producing fungal strain was identified asPenicillium europium.Further, the pinkish pigment was extracted, purified, and using spectral studies like UV, IR, NMR and Mass, the structure of the pure pigment was identified.ResultsThe pure pigment structure was analyzed and tentatively confirmed as 2-(1,5, dimethyl hexyl)-3,5-dimethyl-6-hydro-1,4-benzoquinone having the molecular formula C16H24O3. Toxicity study using LD50on Albino rats revealed that the pigment had no toxic effect on rats.ConclusionPenicillium europiumsynthesized pigments could contribute to biotechnology and add value to the food, feed, and pharmaceutical industries. They can be used for various industrial applications, for example, as dyes for textile and non-textile substrates such as paper, leather, coatings and paints, in cosmetics, and food additives. Negative cytotoxicity result inferred that the pigment could be a potential replacement for hazardous synthetic dyes.
