What is "prodigiosin"

n. (context microbiology English) A red pigment produced by certain bacteria.

Prodigiosin is the red pigment produced by many strains of the bacterium Serratia marcescens, other Gram-negative, gamma proteobacteria such as Vibrio psychroerythrus and Hahella chejuensis It is in a family of compounds termed "prodiginines", which are produced in some Gram-negative gamma proteobacteria, as well as select Gram-positive Actinobacteria (e.g. Streptomyces coelicolor). The name "prodigiosin" is derived from "prodigious" (i.e. something marvelous).