Violacein – part I: Theoretical foundations and foundations on pigment

Abstract

Purple pigments are very rare in nature and for this reason, since antiquity, the symbology and pricing of these pigments have been linked to nobility, which has also given the color purple the same meaning. Different microorganisms produce violacein, a compound derived from tryptophan that exhibits different properties and is applied from fabric dyeing to as a drug candidate. This chapter is the first of two texts dealing with violacein. This chapter deals with historical aspects and the physicochemical characteristics of the molecule, that is, from its biosynthesis to the properties of violacein, which make it an important natural bioactive with infinite applications. The text was prepared by students of the Graduate Program in Natural, Synthetic and Bioactive Products at UFPB, as a final project of the course.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.003-036