Penicillium brevicompactum as a novel source of natural pigments with potential for food applications

•P. brevicompactum was revealed as a novel source of pigments for the food industry.•A mixture of yellow, orange and red pigments was obtained by submerged fermentation.•Lactose is an adequate carbon source for pigments production by P. brevicompactum.•The pigments mixture is mycotoxin-free and showed a promising antioxidant activity.•High colour stability was observed for the pigments at different pH and temperature.