Effect of lactic acid and sodium lactic acid on the pigments and citrinin production by Monascus anka mutant

The effect of lactic acid and sodium lactic acid on Monascus pigments and citrinin production by Monascus anka mutant MYM2 were researched.The results indicated that lactic acid and sodium lactic acid were beneficial for Monascus pigments(including red and yellow pigments)production by Monascus anka mutant,the best addition concentration of lactic acid or sodium lactic acid for yellow pigments production was between 0.01mL and 0.05mL per 30mL cultures,but for red pigments production,it was between 0.05mL and 0.1mL per 30mL cultures.Lactic acid and lactic acid ion could be used as substrates for Monascus pigments production and growth of Monascua anka mutant MYM2.It was the pH of cultures established by the lactic acid or sodium lactic acid directly influenced the citrinin production by Monascus anka mutant MYM2.