Effect of aeration mode on the red pigment production by monascus buber on rice during fermenting in the packed bed bioreactor

Abstract

Solid state fermentation for a red pigment production of Monascus ruber NBRC 32318 on rice in an aerated packed bed bioreactor was studied. The constant and the inconstant aeration rates were studied in this research. The constant rates were performed using 0.05 and 0.10 vvm during fermentation. The inconstant ones were conducted by changing the aeration rate when the growth of fungi entered the stationary phase. The inconstant aeration were studied in three different modes composed of 1) starting with 0.10 vvm aeration and then changing to 0.05 vvm one, 2) starting with 0.10 vvm aeration and then increasing to 0.15 vvm one, and 3) starting with 0.05 vvm aeration and then increasing to 0.10 vvm one. The growth and the density of red pigment were analyzed along the height of packed bed. The results show the effect of changing aeration rate during fermentation on the red pigment production. The appropriated aeration rate seemed to be  relative with the height of bed.