Potential use of glycerol as substrate for the production of red pigments by Monascus ruber in submerged fermentation

In this study, pigment production by Monascus ruber in submerged fermentation using glycerol as substrate was optimized by employing factorial design and response surface techniques. The variables evaluated were the glycerol and monosodium glutamate concentrations, having as responses pigment and biomass productions. The monosodium glutamate concentration was the most significant variable for pigment production. The optimal region for pigment production is around 40–70 g L−1 of glycerol and 7–8 g L−1 of monosodium glutamate. Glycerol, used as substrate, can be obtained as the main residue from biodiesel production and employed as fermentation medium for the production of high-value products.