Use of Potato Waste for Pigments Production by Monascus purpureus in Submerged Cultivation

Among the pigment-producing microorganisms, Monascus purpureus is important for controlling diabetes and preventing and reducing fat due to the production of red and orange pigments with therapeutic properties such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory.

In this study, the effect of replacement of potato starch waste (RPSW) (20-100%), sodium chloride (6-14 g) and thermal stress time of spore suspension (TST) (50-90 seconds) on the growth of M. purpureus and production of red and orange pigments at 30 ° C in submerge culture were studied by the central composite design at 95% confidence level.

The results showed that increasing the RPSW by up to 50% significantly reduced red and orange pigments and increased biomass production (p <0.05). On the other hand, increasing the TST of spore suspension to 73 seconds and increasing the amount of sodium chloride at the concentrations above 9 g / l significantly increased the production of biomass and red and orange pigments (p <0.05). At the two optimal point with the RPSW (20.3, 42.5) (%), TDT spore suspension (65, 81)(s) and concentration of sodium chloride (12, 6) (g/l) respectively, the biomass (g / l), red and orange pigments (OD/l) (5.24, 4.55 and 3.5) and (4.55, 4.37 and 5.4), respectively, were obtained.

The results of this study showed that since the replacement of potato starch waste increased biomass production but reduced the production of red and orange pigments Monascus purpureus, its amount should be used optimally in culture to achieve the best productivity.