Monascus pigments production for sustainable utilization of sugarcane hemicellulosic hydrolysates by-products

Muñoz S.S.; Rocha T.B.; Gutierrez S.G.B.; Alba E.M.; Teran-Hilares R.; dos Santos J.C.; da Silva S.S. · Bioresource Technology Reports (2025) · DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102356

Resumen

Hemicellulosic hydrolysates derived from sugarcane byproducts, which are rich in C5 sugars, have been identified as promising raw materials to produce biopigments by Monascus ruber. This study highlights the use of an optimized surfactant blend (SOF), primarily composed of the non-ionic surfactants Triton X-100 and Tween-80, which significantly enhanced pigment yields when sugarcane bagasse and straw hemicellulosic hydrolysates (SCBHH and SCSHH) were used as carbon sources. Compared to controls without the additives, biopigment production increased by up to fourfold, reaching 18.81 and 20.65 AU₅₁₀nm/mL, respectively. Furthermore, biopigments produced from SCBHH and SCSHH in the presence of SOF demonstrated remarkable thermal stability (7.213 and 14.76 kcal·mol−1, respectively), with no detectable citrinin derived from fermentation. These biopigments represent a sustainable and safe alternative for industrial applications, combining high productivity with improved quality and stability.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica de Santa María