Evaluating the on of culture conditions for producing pigments and monacolin K from Monascus purpureus

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the suitable initial pH for the production of pigments and monacolin K from the mold Monascus purpureus NBRC 4485. In addition, to increase the biosynthesis ability of pigments and monacolin K, the effect of adding nutrient sources such as carbon and nitrogen to the brown rice substrate was investigated. The contents of yellow pigment, red pigment, and monacolin K were achieved at 6,946.71 AU/g, 6,269.33 AU/g and 2,574.45 µg/g, respectively, from M. purpureus cultured at pH 5, the medium was supplemented with 0.5% (NH₄)₂SO₄ and 0.8% glycerol. The pigment stability has decreased after 1 month (85.1% and 83.51% of yellow and red pigments were remained, respectively) in natural environmental conditions.