Pigments production of Monascus sp. improved by glycerol utilization and its mechanism: a review

Abstract:

Monascus pigments (MPs) are main secondary metabolites produced by Monascus sp. which has been used as food colorant for more than one thousand years. Glycerol, especially produced in process of biodiesel, could be utilized by microorganisms, such as Monascus sp. for improving MPs production. In this paper, the MPs production utilizing glycerol and its mechanism were reviewed.