Production of biopigments from hemicellulosic fraction of sugarcane bagasse by using Monascus ruber immobilized in polyurethane foam

• Grant number: 20/16646-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2021
• End date: July 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Júlio César dos Santos
• Grantee: Maria Teresa Ferreira Ramos Raymundo
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/10636-8 - From the cell factory to the Biodiesel-Bioethanol integrated biorefinery: a systems approach applied to complex problems in micro and macroscales, AP.BIOEN.TEM

Abstract

The consumer market has been more demanding for functional products of natural origin. In this aspect, the microbial pigments gain prominence due to their versatility for industrial applications and their characteristics, which, besides promoting color, include antioxidant, antimicrobial, and scaring potential. However, a great limitation to producing biopigments is the high cost of raw materials, which makes the production process more expensive. A viable alternative would be the use of agroindustrial residues, as sugarcane bagasse. The integral use of sugarcane bagasse in the concept of sustainable biorefineries, however, requires the use of all its fractions, including hemicellulose, which is rich in pentoses that can be used as a carbon source in fermentation. The objective of this work will be to evaluate the production of microbial pigments, using as carbon source a medium based in sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate, by Monascus rubber fungus immobilized in polyurethane foam. Firstly, the process will be carried out in a medium based on xylose, and variables as sugar concentration, pH and temperature, will be evaluated in order to obtain an optimized condition for the production of biopigments. In the optimized conditions, the microorganism will be cultured in a medium based on hydrolysate. In addition, the potential use of Monascus rubber immobilized in polyurethane foam to produce biopigments in repeated batches will also be evaluated. (AU)