Studies on ferroverdin, a green iron-containing pigment produced by a Streptomyces Wak. species

The submerged culture production of ferroverdin, an iron-containing green pigment of a novel type, by a new species of Streptomyces Wak. is reported. The morphological properties of this micro-organism are described, and the optimum culture conditions for pigmentation in shake flasks and in stirred fermenters are determined. The Preparation and identification of reductive and alkali degradation products of ferroverdin are reported; on the basis of their structures it is suggested that ferroverdin is the ferrous complex of the p -vinylphenylester of 3-nitroso-4-hydroxybenzoic acid.