Recent Advances in Prodigiosin as a Bioactive Compound in Nanocomposite Applications

Abstract

Bionanocomposites based on natural bioactive entities have gained importance due to their abundance; renewable and environmentally benign nature; and outstanding properties with applied perspective. Additionally, their formulation with biological molecules with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities has been produced nowadays. The present review details the state of the art and the importance of this pyrrolic compound produced by microorganisms, with interest towards Serratia marcescens, including production strategies at a laboratory level and scale-up to bioreactors. Promising results of its biological activity have been reported to date, and the advances and applications in bionanocomposites are the most recent strategy to potentiate and to obtain new carriers for the transport and controlled release of prodigiosin. Prodigiosin, a bioactive secondary metabolite, produced by Serratia marcescens, is an effective proapoptotic agent against bacterial and fungal strains as well as cancer cell lines. Furthermore, this molecule presents antioxidant activity, which makes it ideal for treating wounds and promoting the general improvement of the immune system. Likewise, some of the characteristics of prodigiosin, such as hydrophobicity, limit its use for medical and biotechnological applications; however, this can be overcome by using it as a component of a bionanocomposite. This review focuses on the chemistry and the structure of the bionanocomposites currently developed using biorenewable resources. Moreover, the work illuminates recent developments in pyrrole-based bionanocomposites, with special insight to its application in the medical area.

Advancing PHBV Biomedical Potential with the Incorporation of Bacterial Biopigment Prodigiosin

“…However, the anticancer mechanisms of action and the specific molecular targets of PG are quite diverse [28,29]. Similar to PHBV, PG can be produced sustainably using bacterial fermentation [30,31]. It is also pH-responsive [32].…”

A comprehensive profiling of quorum quenching by bacterial pigments identifies quorum sensing inhibition and anti-biofilm action of prodigiosin against Acinetobacter baumannii

“…Though the exact mechanism of antibacterial action for PDG remains obscure, independent studies using different target organisms revealed affecting pH, disruption of the plasma membrane, degradation of DNA and ROS generations as generic mode of bactericidal action of PDG (Araujo et al 2022). Also, the mode of action seems to vary between different groups of bacteria as disruption of cell wall and subsequent lysis has been speculated as the major event in Gram positive bacteria, while in the case of Gram-negative bacteria, it affect metabolism and gene expression (Araujo et al 2022). Observation from the present study indicates that QQ activity of PDG might also be a possible mechanism against Gram negative organisms.…”

Prodigiosin-Producing Serratia marcescens as the Causal Agent of a Red Colour Defect in a Blue Cheese

“…Prodigiosin has recently received interest due to its antioxidant activity (which improves the immune system), its antimicrobial activity against bacterial, fungal and yeast species [ 15 , 27 , 28 , 29 ], and its antiproliferative effect on cancer cells [ 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Antimicrobial activity (although low level) against some bacterial strains was demonstrated in agar diffusion tests in the present study, as it was against other members of Enterobacteriaceae under experimental cheesemaking conditions.…”