Optimization of Monascus Pigment Production on Date Waste Substrates Using Solid State Fermentation

Background and Objective: Monascus purpureus can produce pigments with light yellow to dark red colors. It includes several health properties. In this study, a low-cost process has been developed for the production of natural pigments from filamentous fungi through solid-state fermentation using cheap substrates.  Material and Methods: In this study, cultivation conditions were optimized for the production of red Monascus pigment by Monascus purpureus ATCC16362 using response surface methodology. Incubation time (7-24 days), date waste syrup concentrations (1-69%) and NaCl contents (7-13.75 g.l-1) were analyzed base on central composite design. Results and Conclusion: The maximum production of red Monascus pigment (5.10 AU.g-1) by Monascus purpureus was achieved using 55% date waste syrup concentration, 7 g.l-1 NaCl and incubation time of 21 days. At optimum conditions, µmax of 6.2 × 10-3 (mg.g-1.h-1), pigment efficiency of 0.238 (AU.g-1.day-1), conversion factor of biomass in red pigments of 0.25 (AU.mg-1.g-1), glucose utilization of 93% were achieved. Results showed that use of date waste syrup and wheat straw as substrates were successful in solid state cultivation for the production of red pigments by Monascus purpureus. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.