Abstract: In order to explore the stability and biological activity of intracellular red pigment from Fusarium momiliforme RCEF4029, spectrophotometry was used to determine the stability of the red pigment and DPPH-microplate assay was used to evaluate its free radical scavenging activity. Meanwhile, a resazurin cytotoxicity assay model of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was employed to study anti-tumor activity of the pigment. The results showed that the red pigment had good thermal and light stability. Metal ions such as Zn2+ and Ca2+ had no obvious effect on the stability of the red pigment, while Na+, Mg2+ and Al3+ revealed hyperchromic effect on the red pigment; in contrast, Fe3+ had destructive effect on its stability. Oxidants, reductants, vitamins, acidity regulators and food additives had little effect on the stability of the red pigment. Citric acid, sodium hydrate, VE, gelatin and sodium benzoate had slight hyperchromic effect on its stability. Furthermore, the red pigment also exhibited some free radical scavenging activity. Therefore, the intracellular red pigment is a kind of stable natural pigment with wide utilization potential.

Key words: Fusarium momiliforme, intracellular red pigment, stability, biological activity