Integrated fermentation optimization and downstream purification strategies for enhanced monascin and ankaflavin production by Monascus purpureus TST - Nature

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AbstractMonascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK) are bioactive yellow pigments produced by Monascus species, known for their health benefits and safety profile compared to monacolin K. This study developed an integrated strategy combining Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for submerged fermentation optimization and a downstream purification process to maximize MS and AK production by Monascus purpureus TST. Although the results of this study demonstrate that RSM did not successfully predict the optimal production conditions, the RSM optimization revealed significant interactions between sucrose, ammonium sulfate, and magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. Verification experiments confirmed that the optimal culture conditions for M. purpureus TST were 200 g/L sucrose, 17.5 g/L (NH4)2SO4, and 0.1 g/L MgSO4·7H2O.