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. 2011 Dec;12(12):961-8.
doi: 10.1631/jzus.B1100039.

Red pigment production by Penicillium purpurogenum GH2 is influenced by pH and temperature

Alejandro Méndez  1 , Catalina Pérez, Julio Cesar Montañéz, Gabriela Martínez, Cristóbal Noé Aguilar
Affiliations

Red pigment production by Penicillium purpurogenum GH2 is influenced by pH and temperature

Alejandro Méndez et al. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2011 Dec.

Abstract

The combined effects of pH and temperature on red pigment production and fungal morphology were evaluated in a submerged culture of Penicillium purpurogenum GH2, using Czapek-Dox media with d-xylose as a carbon source. An experimental design with a factorial fix was used: three pH values (5, 7, and 9) and two temperature levels (24 and 34 °C) were evaluated. The highest production of red pigment (2.46 g/L) was reached with a pH value of 5 and a temperature of 24 °C. Biomass and red pigment production were not directly associated. This study demonstrates that P. purpurogenum GH2 produces a pigment of potential interest to the food industry. It also shows the feasibility of producing and obtaining natural water-soluble pigments for potential use in food industries. A strong combined effect (p<0.05) of pH and temperature was associated with maximal red pigment production (2.46 g/L).

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Effects of pH and temperature on growth (a) and pigment production (b) of P. purpurogenum GH2 Different letters represent significant differences according to the Tukey test (p<0.05). * means significant difference at p<0.05
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Combined effects of pH and temperature on the morphology of P. purpurogenum GH2 at different treatments (a) 24 °C/pH 5; (b) 24 °C/pH 7; (c) 24 °C/pH 9; (d) 34 °C/pH 5; (e) 34 °C/pH 7; (f) 34 °C/pH 9
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Kinetics of water-soluble red pigments with different treatments
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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