Prodigiosin

Chembox new
ImageFile=Prodigiosin(clean).pngImageSize=
IUPACName=
OtherNames=
Section1= Chembox Identifiers
CASNo=82-89-3
PubChem=5351169
SMILES=
MeSHName=Prodigiosin
Section2= Chembox Properties
Formula=C₂₀H₂₅N₃O
MolarMass=323.432
Appearance=
Density=
MeltingPt=
BoilingPt=
Solubility=
Section3= Chembox Hazards
MainHazards=
FlashPt=
Autoignition=

Prodigiosin is the red pigment produced by many strains of the bacterium "Serratia marcescens" [cite journal | author=Bennett JW, Bentley R | title= Seeing red: The story of prodigiosin | journal=Adv Appl Microbiol | year=2000 | pages=1-32 | volume=47 | pmid=12876793 ] . Its name is derived from "prodigious" - something marvellous.

Religious function

The ability of pigmented strains of "Serratia marcescens" to grow on bread has led to a possible explanation of Medieval transubstantiation miracles, in which Eucharistic bread is converted into the Body of Christ. Such miracles led to Pope Urban IV instituting the Feast of Corpus Christi in 1264. This followed celebration of a Mass at Bolsena in 1263, led by a Bohemian priest who had doubts concerning transubstantiation. During the Mass, the eucharist appeared to bleed and each time the priest wiped away the blood, more would appear. This event is celebrated in a fresco in the Pontifical Palace in the Vatican City, painted by Raphael.cite web | title=The Mass at Bolsena by Raphael | work=Vatican Museums | url=http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/x-Schede/SDRs/SDRs_02_01_012.html | accessdate=2006-05-03]

References