We are exploring the effects of different microorganisms on the growth and secondary metabolism of one particular streptomycete strains. Among other bugs, we tested against our Streptomyces strain a few unidentified moulds (most probably - Aspergillus). When growing both our Streptomyces and Aspergillus in the vicinity on the plate, we observe the production of light-pink compound by the Aspergillus. The production of this compound by the Aspergillus alone (in the absence of Strep) is not apparent. Pink compound is extracted from agar with ethylacetate and separates well in CHCl3:MeOH system during TLC. I wonder if someone can give me a hint about the chrmical structure of such a metabolite, or point me to the article/database, where basic information (such as color) about different fungal metabolites is present.
It's most likely a carotenoid possessing a tetraterpenoid like structure, with a high degree of linear conjugation and potentially a cyclic structure on either end.
A quick search for fungal carotenoids should give you a better indicator.
Measuring spectra in the visible and in the UV-range will give you more information about the nature of the putative carotenoids that you have extracted. Eric is almost certainly right with his assumption.
Good luck.
another vote from me. Carotenoid to start with. Pink possibly indicate carotenoid called lycopene as a major pigment. Simple extract with organic solvent then paper chromatography/TLC along with tomato extract the same solvent.. Follow by scrape the major band and resuspend for spectrum checking with spectrophotometer. Then you should have the answer.
enjoy a colourful experiment!
I just wanted to comment that it would be of interest to explore if you find any Fusaria in your cocktail, since they are known to produce pink pigments and there should be some information on their structure in the literature. In Sweden and a number of other countries, pink mycelium on grain kernels are mostly found to be Fusarium.
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