Solid-state fermentation, using sugar-cane bagasse, and submerged fermentation, using a semi-synthetic medium, were performed for pigment production by
Monascus purpureus in both stationary and rotary conditions. Rotary cultures gave higher yields of crude red and yellow pigments than stationary cultures whereas twice the amount was synthesized at an earlier time (day 8) in liquid medium (1,285U yellow pigment/bottle, 1,728U red pigment/bottle). Supplementing the liquid medium with 0.6% (v/v) corn oil doubled the extracellular pigment yield but halved fungal growth.
Key words
Fermentation
- Monascus -
pigments