Abstract

The present study investigates the use of conventional and unconventional bioresources for the production of an anticancer biomolecule, prodigiosin using Serratia marcescens NRRL B- 23112 which also produces serratiopeptidase (SRP). Initially, both conventional and unconventional bioresources were screened for maximum production of prodigiosin. Jatropha seed powder, an unconventional bioresource, gave highest production of 5331 mg/l of prodigiosin and 850 EU/ml of SRP. Further, evaluation of the effect of concentration of seed powder, effect of seed oil and the effect of seed protein on production of prodigiosin and SRP showed that jatropha seed powder at 3% supported highest production of 6000±200 mg/l of prodigiosin, but not that of SRP.