Effect of Sodium Nitrate, Saccharose and Zinc Sulfate Concentration on Pigment Production by Monascus purpureus

In recent years, numerous studies have been conducted on monascus growth media to optimize different conditions of pigment production in this fungus. In this research, biomass and pigment production of Monascus purpureus strain DSMZ 1603 was studied using three levels of sodium nitrate (1.5, 3 and 4.5 g/l) and five levels of saccharose (75, 100, 125, 150 and 175 g/l) in a factorial design and five levels of zinc sulfate (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mg/l) in a completely randomized design. Treatments were cultured in a broth medium at 25 oC and 150 rpm rotating shaker. The results showed pigment production was enhanced significantly by increasing the saccharose level whereas the effect of sodium nitrate was not significant on the pigment production. The highest rate of pigment production was induced in 175 g/l saccharose with 3 g/l sodium nitrate. The highest biomass produced in the medium contained 175 g/l saccharose with 4.5 g/l sodium nitrate. The results showed pigment production decreased significantly by increasing the levels of zinc sulfate while the highest rate of pigment production was induced in the medium without zinc sulfate.