Production of copper coproporphyrin III by Bacillus cereus. I. Purification and identification of copper coproporphyrin III.

Bacillus cereus strains 2 and T did not form spores and accumulated a large amount of purple pigment inside the cells, when cultured in a yeast extract-ammonium salt medium with excess glucose. The pigment was extracted and crystallized as the ethyl ester. It was identified as copper coproporphyrin III.