The Pigment Production of Actinomyces coelicolor and A. violaceus-ruber

Abstract

Chemical and spectrophotometric studies show that identical pigments are produced by 2 strains of Adinomyces isolated from soil and thought at first to be separate species because of differences in color observed on superficial examination. This pigment is similar to azolitmin, the best known constituent of litmus. The 2 strains are so much alike in their cultural characters that they may be considered the same species. This species is the one described by Miiller as Streptothrix coelicolor and by Kriss as Actinomyces coelicolor. Waksman''s Actinomyces violaceus-ruber, as judged by 2 strains obtained from its author, is quite different culturally and in the chemistry of its pigment. The method of comparing such cultures by spectrophotometric study of partially purified pigments is recommended for application to other pigment-producing Actinomycetes.