PRELIMINARY STUDIES OF THE PIGMENTS OF FLAVOBACTERIUM BREVE NCTC 11099 AND FLAVOBACTERIUM ODORATUM NCTC 11036

Abstract

The pigments of Flavobacterium breve NCTC 11099 and Flavobacterium odoratum NCTC 11036 are extractable with acetone and each consists of a major constituent and three or more minor pigments. The electronic absorption spectrum of the major pigment of each species shows a single maximum absorption and lack of fine structure. The principal pigment of F. breve shows maximum absorption at 435 nm in diethyl ether or 442 nm in ethanol. That of F. odoratum occurs at 437 nm in diethyl ether or 450 nm in ethanol. Each pigment demonstrates an alkaline-catalyzed bathochromic spectral shift which is completely reversed by acid. F. breve shows a bathochromic shift of 36 nm and F. odoratum, 28 nm. The pigments are not carotenoid in nature.