J. Trop. Agric. and Fd. Sc. 35(2)(2007): 287–A.M. 296 Musaalbakri, A. Ariff, M. Rosfarizan and A.K.M. Ismail Kinetics of red pigment fermentation in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter using different types and concentrations of carbon sources (Kinetik fermentasi pewarna merah di dalam fermenter berpengaduk 2 liter menggunakan jenis dan kepekatan sumber karbon yang berbeza) A.M. Musaalbakri*, A. Ariff**, M. Rosfarizan** and A.K.M. Ismail*** Key words: Monascus purpureus, kinetics, glucose, fructose, maltose, sucrose, red pigment, non-growth associated Abstract Kinetics of red pigment fermentation by Monascus purpureus FTC 5391 using various sources of carbon (glucose, fructose, maltose and sucrose) were analysed using a model based on Logistic and Leudeking-Piret equations. Using the optimal concentration of fructose, batch fermentation without pH control was capable to produce slightly higher red pigment (20.70 UA500) as compared to fermentation using glucose (20.63 UA500). In terms of overall productivity, fermentation using fructose (0.153 UA500/h) was comparable to glucose (0.122 UA500/h). The production of red-pigment by M. purpureus FTC 5391 appeared to be a non-growth associated process; whereby rapid red-pigment production occurred during non-growth phase after the depletion of carbon in the medium and the on-set of ethanol accumulation. It seemed that the red-pigment was formed from the metabolism of ethanol accumulated in the culture. Introduction The composition ratios and productivity of pigment can be influenced by the Monascus strains, medium composition and fermentation conditions in which they are produced. Therefore, many attempts have been made to enhance the production of Monascus pigments through strain improvement, different carbon source and improvement of culture condition. The Monascus pigments are a complex mixture of at least six compounds. The quantity of pigments produced by Monascus species is greatly influenced by the types of carbon and nitrogen sources used in medium formulation; and also greatly influenced by the culture condition such as the pH of culture medium (Lee et al. 1994). Although the cultural conditions for the improvement of microbial pigment production by Monascus sp., in general, have been studied extensively, information on the kinetics of production and development of models to describe the process in more meaningful ways remained scarce. Monascus purpureus FTC 5391 *Biotechnology Research Centre, MARDI Headquaters, Serdang, P.O. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia **Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia ***Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Authors’ full names: Musaalbakri Abdul Manan, Arbakariya Ariff, Rosfarizan Mohamad and Mohamed Ismail Abdul Karim E-mail: [email protected] ©Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute 2007 287 Kinetics of red pigment fermentation is a newly isolated strain and presently, no attempt has been made to study its growth kinetics. Furthermore, the culture characteristic of this fungal strain could be different from other fungus. The objective of this study was to develop simple models that can be used to describe the kinetics of the growth of M. purpureus FTC 5391 and its red pigment production. The experimental data from batch fermentations of M. purpureus FTC 5391 using 2-litre stirred tank fermenter was analysed in order to form the basis for a kinetic model of the process. The model may allow better understanding of the fermentation process, so that suitable fermentation technique and process control strategy can be developed for improvement of pigment production by M. purpureus FTC 5391. Materials and methods Microorganism and medium The monospore isolate MP 3 of M. purpureus FTC 5391 (Musaalbakri 2004), was used throughout this study. The fungus was maintained on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plate for 7 days at 37 °C. The inoculum medium (YMP broth) consisted of yeast extract (3 g/litre), malt extract (3 g/litre), peptone (5 g/litre) and glucose (20 g/litre). Four pieces of 4 mm mycelial block of M. purpureus FTC 5391 were used to inoculate the inoculum cultures in 250-ml flask containing 100 ml YMP broth. The flasks were incubated in orbital shaker at 37 °C, agitated at 250 rpm for 4 days. The fermentation medium consisted of monosodium glutamate (MSG), 12 g/litre; K2HPO4, 2.5 g/litre; KH2PO4, 2.5 g/litre; MgSO4.7H2O, 1.0 g/litre; KCl, 0.5 g/litre; ZnSO4.7H2O, 0.01 g/litre; FeSO4.7H2O, 0.01 g/litre and MnSO4.H2O, 0.03 g/litre, though the type and concentration of carbon source added was varied according to the requirement of each experiment. The sugar solution was prepared and autoclaved separately from basal medium and added prior to the start of the fermentation 288 process. It is often best to sterilize sugar solution separately because it may react with ammonium ion and amino acid to form black nitrogen containing compound which will partially inhibit the growth of many microorganisms (Stanbury and Whitaker 1984). Fermentation The 2-litre stirred tank fermenter (Biostat B. Braun, Germany) with a working volume of 1.5 litres was used in this study. A single six-bladed turbine impeller with a diameter (D) of 52 mm mounted on the agitator shaft was used for agitation. The fermenter was equipped with temperature and dissolved oxygen controllers. During the fermentation, agitation speed (N) was fixed at 600 rpm (impeller tip speed = ηND = 1.64 m/s). In all experiments, the dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) control level was set at 90% (v/v) saturation by varying air flow rate ranging from 0.1 litre/min (0.067 vvm) to 1.5 litres/min (1.0 vvm) using mass flow controller. Dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) was recorded continuously during the fermentation. The initial pH of the culture was adjusted to 6.5 and the culture pH was not controlled but recorded continuously during the fermentation. In all fermentations, the temperature within the fermenter was controlled at 37 °C. During fermentation, samples were withdrawn at various time intervals for analysis. Analytical methods Determination of cell concentration Cell concentration was determined using filtration and oven dry method. A known volume of culture sample (5–10 ml) withdrawn from the fermenter was filtered through a preweighed filter paper (Whatman No. 1) by using vacuum pump. After drying period of more than 24 h in an oven at 80 °C i.e., until a constant weight was achieved, the filter paper and cells were re-weighed and the cell dry weight was calculated by difference. A.M. Musaalbakri, A. Ariff, M. Rosfarizan and A.K.M. Ismail Glucose and other reducing sugar analysis Glucose concentration in the culture broth for fermentation using glucose as the sole carbon source was measured by using Glucose Analyzer (YSI 2700 Select Biochemistry Analyzer). Samples were prepared by filtering the supernatant through sep – pack to remove the particles and pigments that may interfere with the determination. For fermentation using fructose, maltose and sucrose as carbon source, each reducing sugar concentration in the culture broth was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Waters 2690, USA) with refractive index detector (Waters 2410). Separation of sugars was obtained using NH2 Column (MERCK) and 80% acetonitrile in deionised water as a stationary and mobile phase, respectively. The temperature of the column was maintained at ambient temperature and the flow rate was fixed at 1.0 ml/min. Samples were prepared by filtering fermentation broth with Whatman nylon filter paper (0.2 µm pore size; 47 mm diameter). The concentration of reducing sugars (fructose, maltose and sucrose) was quantified using a pre-determined calibration curve. Determination of red pigment Samples collected during the fermentation were centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 10 min using laboratory centrifuge (Centrifuge 5810R, Germany). The red pigment was present in both fractions, filtrate and cell pellet. In order to measure red pigment in cell pellet, extraction of the pigment was carried out using 95% (v/v) ethanol. The method of extraction was used as follows: 10 ml of ethanol was added to 1 g wet cell in 20-ml test tube, shaken for a while and then kept at room temperature overnight. The mixture was then filtered through a filter paper (Whatman No. 1) and the filtrate was used for pigment determination. For the measurement of absorbance for filtrate from culture broth, uninoculated medium was used as a blank while for filtrate from the extract, ethanol was used as blank. The wavelength at 500 nm represents absorption maxima for the red pigment. Whenever necessary, the samples were diluted with distilled water (filtrate) or ethanol (extract) prior to absorbance measurement. The pigment production was calculated by multiplying the absorbance units by the dilution factor. The spectra of the red pigment were measured using a Cecil CE 2502 2000 series scanning spectrophotometer. Determination of ethanol Ethanol was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Waters 2690, USA) with refractive index detector (Waters 2410). The separation of ethanol was obtained by using Biorad aminex HPX-87H cation-exchange resin column (300 x 7.8 I.D.) as stationary phase. The mobile phase was 7 mM sulphuric acid (H2SO4). Flow rate of the mobile phase and column temperature was controlled at 1.0 ml/min and 50 °C respectively. Samples were prepared by filtering fermentation broth with Whatman nylon filter paper (0.2 µm pore size, 47 mm diameter). The concentration of ethanol was quantified using a pre-determined calibration curve. Mathematical method The following simplified batch fermentation kinetic models for cell growth, substrate consumption and product formation based on Logistic and Luedeking-Piret equations, which have been described elsewhere (Weiss and Ollis 1980), were used to evaluate the kinetics of red pigment production by M. purpureus FTC 5391. The fungus, M. purpureus FTC 5391, employed in pigment fermentation was very stable as shown by high viability, even at extreme growth conditions. From preliminary kinetics study, it was found that growth of M. purpureus FTC 5391 followed logistic equation. Thus, the simplified batch fermentation kinetic models for cell growth, substrate consumption and product formation based on logistic and Leudeking289 Kinetics of red pigment fermentation Piret equation, are proposed for red pigment fermentation by M. purpureus FTC 5391 and they expressed as follows: Cell growth dX/dt = [µmax(1-X/Xmax)]X (1) Substrate consumption -dS/dt = α(dX/dt) + βX (2) Product formation dP/dt = m(dX/dt) + nX (3) The batch fermenter models (equations 1-3) were fitted to the experimental data by nonlinear regression with MS Excel computer software. The model parameter values were evaluated by solving equation (1–3). The predicted values were then used to simulate the profiles of cell, substrate and product concentrations during the fermentation. To determine whether the deviations between the experimental and calculated data are significant or not-significant, statistical analysis (unpaired T-test) was also carried out by using SAS program (SAS Inst. 1990). Results and discussion Effect of different carbon sources A typical time courses of M. purpureus FTC 5391 fermentation in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter using different types of sugar (glucose, fructose, maltose and sucrose) are shown in Figure 1, which also includes the simulation curves calculated according to the proposed kinetic models (Eqs. 1–3). The models fitted fairly well with more than 94% confidence to the experimental data. Comparison of the performance and the kinetic parameter values of red pigment fermentation using different types of sugar in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter are shown in Table 1. The kinetic parameter values obtained can be used to verify the experimental data of red pigment production by M. purpureus FTC 5391 using various sugars. All the carbon sources tested except sucrose were able to support growth of M. purpureus FTC 5391 and red pigment production. Growth and red pigment production was greatly reduced in fermentation using sucrose, suggesting that sucrose was a poor carbon source for M. purpureus FTC 5391. 290 The unability of the fungus to hydrolyse sucrose to glucose and fructose may be one of the possible reasons for reduced fermentation performance when sucrose was used as carbon source. When glucose, fructose and maltose were used as carbon sources, the maximum concentration of cell obtained were 13.2, 14.24 and 11.7 g/litre, respectively. However, the maximum specific growth rate (μmax) with an average value of 0.062/h, was not significantly different with the different sugars used. Red pigment production obtained in fermentation using glucose (20.63 UA500) and fructose (20.70 UA500), was not significantly different, which gave an overall pigment productivity (P) of 0.122 and 0.153 UA500 red pigment/h, respectively. Monascus purpureus FTC 5391 was capable to utilize maltose for growth and red pigment production, indicating that the fungus secreted sufficient glucoamylase enzyme for hydrolysis of maltose to glucose in the prevailing fermentation conditions. It is important to note that excellent growth (14.24 g/litre) and red pigment production (20.70 UA500) was obtained when fructose was used as a carbon source. Chen and Johns (1994) reported that the medium with fructose as carbon source proved to be the most suitable for cell growth and pigment production by M. purpureus, followed with maltose and glucose. They also reported that growth and pigment production were inhibited when sucrose and lactose were used as carbon sources. The rate of carbon source consumption for fermentation using different carbon sources are shown in Figure 1c. As can be seen, M. purpureus FTC 5391 was able to utilize various types of carbon sources for growth and red pigment production except sucrose. The highest consumption rate was observed in medium using glucose as a carbon source followed by fructose and maltose. All glucose supplied in the culture (100%) was consumed for cell growth after 72 h of cultivation. The ability of M. purpureus FTC 5391 to utilize A.M. Musaalbakri, A. Ariff, M. Rosfarizan and A.K.M. Ismail ▲ 12 ◆ ◆◆ 10 ■ ▲ ▲ ▲ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ■ ■ ■ ▲ ■ ■ ■ ■ ▲ ■ ▲ 8 ◆ ◆ 6 ● ▲● 4 ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ■ ● • ▲ ◆ 50 100 150 c) ● ▲ ◆ ■ 30 ● ▲ ◆ ● ● ▲ ● ● ● ● ◆ 10 ▲ ■ ◆ 50 ▲ ◆ ■ ◆ ■ 80 ● ▲ ■ ◆ ■ ◆ 100 ● ▲ ▲ ▲ ● ● ● ■ ◆ ● ◆ ■ ◆ ■ ▲ ▲ 10 ● ● ◆ ◆ ● ▲ ▲ ▲ 0 ■ 0 T (h) 50 ◆ ▲ ■ ▲ ◆ ■ ▲ ▲ ◆ ■ ◆ 100 10 d) 9 8 7 ◆ ● ▲ ◆ ■ ◆ 6 ■●▲ 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 ▲ ◆ ▲ ◆ ■ ● ◆ ■ ▲ ◆ ■ ■ ● ● ● ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 100 150 200 ■ ● ● ◆ ■ ● ◆ ▲ ■ ● ◆ ▲ ■ ▲ ◆ ■ ▲ ▲ ◆ ● ■ ◆ ● ■ 50 ◆ ● ■ ▲ ● ■ ▲ ■ ● ◆ ▲ ■ ● ◆ 100 ▲ ■ ● ◆ ▲ ■ ▲ ◆ ● ◆ ● 150 200 ■ ◆ 8 6 ◆ ■ ◆ ▲ ■ ● 4 ▲ 0 ▲■◆ ▲◆ 0 T (h) ■ ▲ ◆ ◆ ▲ ■ ▲ 50 Glucose Maltose Fructose Sucrose ◆ ■ ■ 200 ● ▲ 2 150 ● 50 ● ▲ 20 ▲ ■ ● ▲ ◆ ■ ■ ■ 12 f) ▲ ▲ ◆ ■ ◆ ▲ ■ ◆ 40 ◆ ■ ■ ● 200 ▲ ◆ ◆ ▲ 10 ■ ■ ◆ 60 ■ ◆ 150 e) ◆ ● ■ ● ■ 0 0 ▲ ■ ◆ ■ ◆ ● ● ▲ ■ ◆ ◆ ■ ▲ ● ● ▲ ■ 20 ▲ ■ ◆ ● ▲ ■ 120 ● pH ▲ ● ■ ▲ ◆ ◆ 0 ■● 0 200 ▲ ◆ ▲ ▲ 0 ■ ● ◆ 15 ▲ ◆ ▲ ◆ ▲ 5 ▲ ● 40 100 ● ● ■ ● ■ 2 50 ▲ ■ ▲ 20 ▲ 60 pO2 (%) ◆ ■ ▲ Red pigment (h) 14 0 Carbon sources (g/litre) 25 b) a) Ethanol (g/litre) Cell concentration (g/litre) 16 ▲ ▲ ■ ■ ◆ ▲ ◆ ■ ▲ ◆ 100 ■ ▲ ◆ ■ ▲ ◆ ▲ ■ ◆ ▲ ■ ◆ 150 ▲ ■ ◆ 200 Figure 1. Batch red pigment fermentation by M. purpureus FTC 5391 in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter using different carbon sources, which also includes the comparison between the calculated and experimental data. a) Cell concentration, b) Red pigment production, c) Substrate consumption, d) pH profile, e) Profile of dissolve oxygen tension and f) Ethanol production, (solid lines represent data according to equations 1–3) disaccarides indicated that this strain also produced enzymes which degraded disaccarides into monosaccarides for further use in red pigment production. About 97% of disaccarides (maltose) was consumed for both cell growth and red pigment production. Although maltose was consumed at the same rate as other carbon sources, the production of red pigment was low. This might be due to the increment of culture pH to above 5, which became unfavourable for red pigment production (Figure 1d). Result from this study indicates that locally isolated M. purpureus FTC 5391 was able to utilize various types of carbon sources except sucrose for red pigment production. However, glucose was found to be the best carbon source for red pigment production in which the maximum cell concentration (13.2 g/litre) and maximum 291 Kinetics of red pigment fermentation Table 1. Comparison of the performance and kinetic parameter values of red pigment fermentation in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter using different types of carbon sources Kinetic parameter values Types of carbon sources Glucose Maltose Fructose Xmax (g/litre) 13.2 11.7 14.24 X0 (g/litre) 0.25 0.25 0.25 μmax (h-1) 0.065 0.060 0.060 P0 (UA500) 0.085 0.085 0.085 Pmax (UA500) 20.63 9.43 20.70 Yx/s (g cell/g carbon) 0.248 0.227 0.383 P (g cell/litre.h) 0.077 0.101 0.102 Yp/s (UA500/g.litre) 0.411 0.181 0.575 P (UA500/h) 0.122 0.068 0.153 α (g carbon/g cell) 4.0 4.0 2.2 β (g carbon/g cell.h) 0.005 0.005 0.005 m (UA500 red pigment/g cell) 0 0 0 n (UA500 red pigment/g cell.h) 0.02 0.012 0.04 red pigment concentration (20.63 UA500) was obtained after 7 days of fermentation. As presented and discussed earlier, red pigment production by M. purpureus FTC 5391 using glucose in the stirred tank fermenter was non-growth associated system (Musaalbakri et al. 2005b). In this study, it was found that pigment fermentation using maltose, fructose and sucrose was also a non-growth associated system, as indicated by zero value of growth associated rate constant for red pigment formation (m) for all fermentations. The non-growth associated rate constant for red pigment formation (n) for fermentation using fructose was comparable to glucose, but the value was about two times higher for fermentation using fructose. Effect of glucose concentration Figure 2 shows the profile of growth, red pigment production, glucose consumption, pH and DOT and ethanol production during fermentation of M. purpureus FTC 5391 using different glucose concentrations. There was significant difference on growth and red pigment production for fermentation using 50–150 g/litre glucose. The highest maximum cell concentration, Xmax, (20.48 g/litre) was obtained in fermentation using 75 g/litre glucose. In terms of cell 292 Sucrose 5.74 0.25 0.035 0.085 2.46 0.549 0.059 0.188 0.019 2 0.005 0 0.0045 yield, fermentation using 75 g/litre glucose gave the highest value (0.27 g cell/g glucose) than for fermentation using 50 g/litre glucose (0.248 g cell/g glucose). On the other hand, red pigment production was decreased almost linearly with increasing glucose concentration. At a range of glucose concentration studied, the highest red pigment production (20.63 UA500) was obtained in fermentation using 50 g/litre glucose which gave an overall productivity of 0.122 UA500 red pigment/h. These values were slightly higher than those obtained in fermentation using 100 g/litre and 75 g/litre glucose. In terms of pigment yield, fermentation using 75 g/litre glucose gave lower value (0.343 UA500 red pigment/g glucose) than for fermentation using 50 g/litre glucose (0.411 UA500 red pigment/g glucose). Glucose was exhausted after 132 h at the time where red pigment concentration became maximum in fermentation using 50, 75 and 100 g/litre glucose. Although growth was not inhibited in fermentation using 120 g/litre and 150 g/litre glucose, production of red pigment was reduced, even though all glucose was consumed by M. purpureus FTC 5391. Furthermore, the pH of the cultures using different glucose A.M. Musaalbakri, A. Ariff, M. Rosfarizan and A.K.M. Ismail ▲ ▲ ▲ 15 ● ◆ ■ ● 10 5 ■ ◆ ● ▲ 120 100 80 0 ● ■ ◆ ● ● ■ ◆ ● ■ ● ■ ● ◆ ● ◆ ● ■ ● ◆ ● ■ ● ◆ ● ▲ 100 150 200 ● ● ■ ■ ● ● ■ ▲ ▲ ◆ ● ● ■● ▲ ◆ ● ■ ▲ ▲ ■ ●● ◆ ◆ ◆ ▲ ● ◆ 0 ▲ ■ ● ▲ ■ ◆ ● ◆ 50 ■ ▲ ● ◆ ■ ● ◆ ■ ● ● ■ 100 ■ ● ■ ● ■ ● 150 200 35 e) ▲ ● ◆ ▲ ■ ◆ ▲ ■ ● 80 ◆ ▲ ● ● ◆ ● ● ◆ ■ ▲ ● ■ ▲ ● ● ◆ ■ ▲ ● ● ◆ ▲ ■ ● ◆ ● ■ ● ● ◆ ▲ ■ ● ● ● 60 ● 40 20 0 ■ 0 ◆ ▲ ▲ ■ ◆ ● ■ ● ● 50 ● ▲ ■ ● ◆ ◆ ▲ ◆ ■ ● ■ ● ▲ ● 100 ◆ ● ▲ ■ ● ◆ ● ▲ ■ 200 T (h) ◆ ● ■ ● ▲ ■ ● ● ▲ ● ●▲ ■ ◆ ■ ▲ ● ● ◆ ▲ ● ■ ● ◆ ▲ ● ■ ● ◆ ◆ ■ ▲ ■ ◆ ▲ ■ ■ ■ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 100 ● ● ▲ ● ▲ ■ ● ▲ ● ■ 50 150 ● ● ● ◆ ◆ ◆ ▲ ● ■ ▲ ● ■ ▲ ▲ ● ■ ● ▲ ■ ● ◆ ● ● ● ■ ▲ ● ■ ▲ ◆ ◆ 200 ● ● ■ ▲ ◆ ▲ ● 50 100 150 200 f) ● 25 ● ● 20 ● ● 50 g/litre 75 g/litre ■ 100 g/litre ● 120 g/litre ● 150 g/litre ◆ ▲ ● ■ ● ● 15 ■ 10 ● ● ● ▲ ● 5 150 ● ▲ ● ■ ◆ 30 0 ● ▲ ● ● ● ▲ ■ ◆ 10 d) 9 8 7 ●▲ ● ● ◆ ● ● ◆ ◆ ▲ ■ ▲ ■ ● 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 ● 120 100 ▲ ● ■ ● ◆ c) ● 20 0 ▲ ● ■ ◆ ● 50 60 40 ● ● ◆ ■ ▲ ● ◆ ■ ● ▲ ● ■ ● ◆ ▲ ▲ ◆ ◆ ▲ ◆ ◆ ◆ pH Glucose (g/litre) 140 ◆ ● ● ▲ ■ ● ● ◆ ▲ 160 pO2 (5) ▲ ▲ ▲ Red pigment (UA500) 20 0 20 b) 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 ● ◆ ◆ 0 ▲■●● ▲●■ 0 a) Ethanol (g/litre) Cell concentration (g/litre) 25 ■ ■ ● ● ■ 0 T (h) ● ■ ■ ● ▲ ◆ ● ▲ ◆ ● ▲ ● ■ ▲ ◆ 50 ▲ ◆ ● ● ■ ◆ ■ 100 ■ ◆ ■ ◆ ■ ◆ ● ◆ ■ 150 ● ◆ ■ 200 Figure 2. Batch red pigment fermentation by M. purpureus FTC 5391 in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter using different concentrations of glucose, which also includes the comparison between the calculated and experimental data. a) Cell concentration, b) Red pigment production, c) Glucose consumption, d) pH profile, e) Profile of dissolve oxygen tension and f) Ethanol production, (solid lines represent data according to equations 1–3) concentrations throughout the fermentation was ranged from 6.5 to 9. This range of pH was reported as a suitable pH as discussed by Musaalbakri et al. (2005a). It is interesting to note that the fermentation time for fermentation in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter was the same with the time taken for fermentation in shake flask (Musaalbakri et al. 2005b). Figure 2(a–c) also shows the comparison of calculated and experimental data for fermentation by M. purpureus FTC 5391 in a 2-litre stirred tank fermenter using different concentrations of glucose. The performance and kinetic parameter values of all fermentations are presented in Table 2. In all cases, the models fitted well to the experimental data of growth, glucose consumption, and red pigment production. The maximum specific growth rate (μmax) was not significantly different for the different concentrations of glucose used with an average value of 0.06/h. The value of growth-associated rate constant 293 Kinetics of red pigment fermentation for glucose consumption (α) was increased with increasing glucose concentration up to 150 g/litre. On the other hand, the value of non-growth associated rate constant for glucose consumption (β) was the same. The value of non-growth associated rate constant for red pigment production (n) in 50 g/litre glucose (0.02 UA500 red pigment/g cell) was about two times higher than the value from other concentrations. Relationship between red pigment production and ethanol accumulation Figure 1f and Figure 2f show the profile of ethanol production during M. purpureus FTC 5391 fermentation using different types of carbon sources and different concentrations of glucose respectively. In all cases, it can be seen that rapid consumption of carbon, and the concomitant rapid reduction in DOT occurred during active growth. The on-set of ethanol production was observed when either glucose in the culture became depleted and/or DOT level dropped to very low level i.e. almost zero. Red pigment production occurred during growth on carbon source supplied in the medium and also during growth on ethanol accumulated in the culture (i.e. after exhausting carbon source supplied). However, higher red pigment production with reduced growth rate, in some cases growth ceased, occurred during utilization of ethanol as carbon source. The ability of Monascus species to produce ethanol is well known, having been extensively used in Asia for alcoholic beverage manufacture (Lin and Iizuka 1982). Ethanol production was enhanced when mass transfer limits the oxygen consumption and when anoxic conditions occurred in the cultures (dissolved oxygen concentration close to zero) (Figure 1e and Figure 2e). In the presence of high glucose concentrations, as for certain Monascus species, ethanol is also produced which inhibits pigment production (Pastrana et al. 1995). Chen and Johns (1994) also reported that ethanol production led to a corresponding decrease in cell yield. Conclusion Unstructured models based on Logistic and Leudeking-Piret equations were proposed to describe growth, substrate consumption and red pigment production by M. purpureus FTC 5391. The proposed models based on Logistic and Leudeking-Piret equations were found suitable to describe M. purpureus FTC 5391 fermentation for production of red pigment using various types of carbon sources and various concentrations of Table 2. Comparison of the performance and kinetic parameter values of red pigment fermentation in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter using different concentrations of glucose Kinetic parameter values Glucose concentrations (g/litre) 50 75 100 120 150 Xmax (g/litre) X0 (g/litre) μmax (h-1) P0 (UA500) Pmax (UA500) Yx/s (g cell/g glucose) P (g cell/litre.h) Yp/s (UA500/g.litre) P (UA500/h) α (g glucose/g cell) β (g glucose/g cell.h) m (UA500 red pigment/g cell) n (UA500 red pigment/g cell.h) 13.2 0.25 0.065 0.085 20.63 0.248 0.077 0.411 0.122 4.0 0.005 0 0.02 20.48 0.25 0.06 0.085 7.25 0.270 0.12 0.343 0.102 5.0 0.005 0 0.01 15.2 0.25 0.05 0.085 15.47 0.150 0.096 0.154 0.107 7.0 0.005 0 0.01 14.85 0.25 0.055 0.085 10.66 0.122 0.122 0.088 0.098 9.0 0.005 0 0.01 13.3 0.25 0.055 0.085 12.62 0.087 0.091 0.084 0.087 13.0 0.005 0 0.01 294 A.M. Musaalbakri, A. Ariff, M. Rosfarizan and A.K.M. Ismail glucose. The models can be used to generate parameter values that may be used to verify the experimental data; and also simulation and optimization of the process. Locally isolated M. purpureus FTC 5391 was able to utilize various types of carbon sources except sucrose for red pigment production. Using the optimal concentration of fructose, batch fermentation without pH control was capable to produce slightly higher red pigment (20.70 UA500) as compared to fermentation using glucose (20.63 UA500). In terms of overall productivity, fermentation using fructose (0.153 UA500/h) was comparable to glucose (0.122 UA500/h). Acknowledgement This study was funded by IRPA (Research Grant No. 1900301634). References Chen, M.-H. and Johns, M.R. (1994). Effect of carbon source on ethanol and pigment production by Monascus purpureus. Enzyme Microbiology Technology 16: 584–90 Lee, Y.-K., Lim, B.-L., Ng, Ai-L. and Chen, D.-C. (1994). Production of polyketide pigments by submerged culture of Monascus: Effects of substrates limitations. Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology 2(1): 21–6 Lin, C.-F. and Iizuka. H. (1982). Production of extracellular pigment by a mutant of Monascus kaoliang sp. novel. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 43(3): 671– 6 Musaalbakri, A.M. (2004). Kinetics of red-pigment fermentation by Monascus purpureus FTC 5391 in shake flask culture and stirred tank fermenter using different carbon and nitrogen sources. MS Thesis, Institute of Biosciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang Musaalbakri, A.M., Arbakariya, A., Rosfarizan, M. and Ismail, A.K. M., (2005a). Fermentation conditions affecting growth of Monascus purpureus FTC 5391. J. Trop. Agric. and Fd. Sc. 33(2): 261–76 Musaalbakri, A.M., Arbakariya, A., Rosfarizan, M. and Ismail, A.K.M. (2005b). Kinetics and modeling of red pigment fermentation in 2-litre stirred tank fermenter using glucose as a carbon source. J. Trop. Agric. and Fd. Sc. 33(2): 277–84 Pastrana, L., Blanc, P.J., Santerre, A.L., Loret, M.O. and Goma, G. (1995). Production of red pigments by Monascus ruber in synthetic media with a strictly controlled nitrogen source. Process Biochemistry 30(4): 333–41 SAS Inst. (1990). SAS user’s guide: Statistics version 6. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc. Stanbury, P.F. and Whitaker, A. (1984). Principles of fermentation technology. New York: Pergamon Press Weiss, R.M. and Ollis, D.F. (1980). Extracellular microbial polysaccharides I. Substrate, biomass and product kinetic equations for batch xantham gum fermentation. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 22: 859– 64 295 Kinetics of red pigment fermentation Abstrak Kinetik fermentasi pewarna merah oleh Monascus purpureus FTC 5391 menggunakan pelbagai sumber karbon (glukosa, fruktosa, maltosa dan sukrosa) dianalisis menggunakan model berdasarkan persamaan Logistic dan LeudekingPiret. Dengan menggunakan kepekatan fruktosa yang optimum, fermentasi sesekelompok tanpa kawalan pH menghasilkan hanya sedikit peningkatan pewarna merah (20.70 UA500) dibandingkan dengan fermentasi menggunakan glukosa (20.63 UA500). Dari segi produktiviti keseluruhan, fermentasi menggunakan fruktosa (0.153 UA500/j) adalah setanding dengan glukosa (0.122 UA500/j). Penghasilan pewarna merah oleh M. purpureus FTC 5391 ditunjukkan sebagai proses pertumbuhan tidak berkait, iaitu penghasilan pewarna merah lebih pantas semasa fasa tiada pertumbuhan iaitu selepas karbon di dalam kultur semakin berkurangan dan etanol bertambah. Ia seolah-olah pewarna merah terbentuk daripada kesan metabolisme terhadap etanol di dalam kultur. Abbreviation α Growth-associated rate constant for glucose consumption (g glucose/g cell) β Non-growth-associated rate constant for glucose consumption (g glucose/g cell.h) µmax Maximum or initial specific growth rate (h-1) m Growth associated rate constant for red pigment production (UA500/g cell) n Non-growth-associated constant for red pigment production (UA500/g cell.h) P Productivity P0 Initial red pigment concentration (UA500) Pmax Maximum red pigment concentration (UA500) S0 Initial substrate concentration (g/litre) Smax Substrate concentration (g/litre) X0 Initial cell concentration (g/litre) Xmax Maximum cell concentration (g/litre) Yp/s Yield of red pigment based on glucose consumed (UA500/g.litre) Accepted for publication on 13 December 2006 296
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