Abstract
Cultivation of Monascus purpureus (CCRC 31615) for the production of natural pigments was investigated. Traditionally, Monascus species were grown on rice by solid-state culture. For large-scale cultivation, solid-state cultures were associated with some problems such as contamination and scale-up. By using submerged cultures with rice particles, a stirred-tank fermentor was not suitable for submerged cultures as the impeller tended to break the particles into small pieces. A conventional bubble column was also unsuitable as its mixing capability was poor. In the present study, a modified bubble column with wire-mesh draft tubes was employed for the cultivation of M. purpureus. The proposed column had a shorter mixing time and a higher oxygen transfer rate relative to the conventional bubble column. The production of pigments using the proposed column was up to 80% higher than that achieved using the conventional bubble column.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 21 July 1999 / Received revision: 8 November 1999 / Accepted: 19 November 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wu, WT., Wang, PM., Chang, YY. et al. Suspended rice particles for cultivation of Monascus purpureus in a tower-type bioreactor. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 53, 542–544 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051654
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530051654