RED PIGMENT FORMATION BY INTERACTION OF MOLDS PART 2 TAXONOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PENICILLIUM STRAIN L 9

Abstract

A strain of Penicillium which produces red pigments by interaction with a strain of Trichoderma was isolated and identified as P. verruculosum by its taxonomical characteristics. The strain was found to produce a considerably large amount (12 to 13%) of gluconic acid when grown, under constant shaking, in a liquid medium containing 4% glucose.
While this mold does not form any pigment in its pure culture it causes a production of red pigments-both in the mycellia and in the culture medium -when grown together with some other molds, especially with Trichoderma L 6 which has also been isolated in our laboratory . It was found that the same phenomenon is brought about also by some other strains of P. verruculosum. The significance of the formation of pigments by interactions of two fungal strains, which has never been reported in the literature, was discussed.