Isolation of Pigment-Producing Mutants from Monascus sp. KS2 and Optimization of Cultural Conditions

Several isolates producing the red-pigment were isolated from the Korean and Brazi­lian soils. The pigment producton by the molds belongs to a genus Monascus was investigated under the submerged culture. Mutagenesis of Monascus sp. KS 2 as the highest pigment production by NTG was made to increase pigment production. This mutant was examined to produce red and yellow pigment with 2.4 and 1.6 times higher than the parental isolates, respectively. The optimal cultural conditions for the pigment production by this mutant were: pH 6.0 , temperature , rice powder 5%, and monosodium glutamate 0.15%.