Production of red pigment by Monascus purpureus NRRL1992 under submerged and solid-state fermentation

Abstract

OWING to its broad industrial applications, the present study was directed to study the production of red pigment by Monascus purpureus under submerged and solid state fermentations. The effect of gamma radiation on pigment production was studied. The antifungal activity of red pigment was evaluated against some plant pathogens. The results show that maximum yield of pigment was achieved with fermentation conducted on modified Linʼs (ML) broth medium at 30°C and pH 7 for 16 days. Maltose (50g/L) and peptone (2.5g/L) were found the most suitable carbon and nitrogen sources for maximum pigment production. In solid state fermentation, maximum pigment yield was achieved using potato peel as a solid substrate optimized by using ML broth as a moistening agent at 75% moisture content and incubated for 16 days. Gamma radiation at 1KGy was found to be the most effective dose of those tested for maximum pigment production. The antifungal activity of pigment indicated activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Alternaria sp. Besides, there was no activity against Fusarium solani and Penicillium sp.