title: Monascus pigment production by solid-state fermentation with corn cob substrate.
abstract: Natural pigments are an important alternative to potentially harmful synthetic dyes. We investigated the feasibility of corn cob powder as a substrate for production of pigments by Monascus purpureus KACC 42430 in solid-state fermentation. A pigment yield of 25.42 OD Units/gram of dry fermented substrate was achieved with corn cob powder and optimized process parameters, including 60% (w/w) initial moisture content, incubation at 30°C, inoculation with 4mL of spores/gram of dry substrate, and an incubation period of 7 days. Pigment yield using corn cobs greatly exceeded those of most other agricultural waste substrates. The pigments were stable at acidic pH, high temperatures, and in salt solutions; all important considerations for industrial applications. Our results indicate the viability of corn cob substrate in combination with M. purpureus for industrial applications.
authors: Division of Biotechnology, Advanced Institute of Environment and Bioscience, College of Environmental and Bioresource Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-752, South Korea.
authors: Palanivel
authors: P
authors: Velmurugan
authors: Hyun
authors: H
authors: Hur
authors: Vellingiri
authors: V
authors: Balachandar
authors: Seralathan
authors: S
authors: Kamala-Kannan
authors: Kui-Jae
authors: KJ
authors: Lee
authors: Sang-Myung
authors: SM
authors: Lee
authors: Jong-Chan
authors: JC
authors: Chae
authors: Patrick J
authors: PJ
authors: Shea
authors: Byung-Taek
authors: BT
authors: Oh
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D005285:Fermentation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007218:Industrial Microbiology; D032741:Monascus / Q000737:chemistry*; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010860:Pigments, Biological