Production of A Red Benz [a] anthracene from Kerosene by Pseudomonas sp. S7K5

Abstract

Naphthalene-assimilating, non-fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. S7K5, isolated from soil using kerosene, produced a water-insoluble red pigment (RP) from a high boiling fraction (HBK, 200 to 230°C) of kerosene. RP was not produced from n-alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, naphthalene and phenanthrene. RP production was stimulated by adding limiled amount (0.03%, w/v) of naphthalene to HBK (5.0%, w/v)-mineral salt medium. RP was isolated by chelating with magnesium and crystallized from C₂S-petroleum ether to give dark red needles (mp, 218°C, MW, 316). From spectrometrical experiments of RP and its derivatives, RP was identified as a hydroxybenz [a] anthraquinone bearing a methyl group.