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).