Abstract: In this work, pigments from the liquid-cultured mycelia of Fusarium sp. B158 were extracted and their physico-chemical properties were investigated. The best solvent for extracting pigments from the liquid-cultured mycelia of Fusarium sp. B158 was found to be acidified ethanol (pH = 2). The extract obtained showed maximum absorption at 324 nm and 360 nm. To facilitate further investigations, 360 nm was chosen as maximum absorption wavelength. The pigments were stable to heat, light, sugars and common food additives, but sensitive to pH, oxidizers and reductants. Most of the investigated metal ions (except Cu2+ and Fe3+) revealed little effect on the pigments.

Key words: pigment, extraction, stability, Fusarium sp. B158