[The effect of the cultivation conditions on the growth and pigmentation of Serratia marcescens].

The influence of cultivation conditions on the growth and pigmentation of S. marcescens was studied. The cultures under study grew in media containing glycerin, glucose or acetate and organic or mineral nitrogen. Pigment formation occurred in a medium with organic nitrogen and glycerin or acetate, but not glucose. Sodium chloride inhibited the growth of cultures, but at a concentration not exceeding 4-5% increased the accumulation of prodigiosin. Prodigiosin was accumulation by the culture growing at 28 degrees C, while at 37 degrees C no accumulation of the pigment occurred. The illumination of the growing culture with visible light decreased the intensity of its pigmentation. Prodigiosin apparently plays an important role in the metabolism of S. marcescens and is linked with the energy exchange of the cell.