| Abstract:
Monascus is a microscopic fungus with extensive industrial applications such as production of food grade pigments and cholesterol-lowering drugs. The isolation and identification of M. purpureus and M.
fumeus have been carried out for the first time in Iran by authors. In order to determine the optimal temprature and pH for the growth of the fungi they were cultured on MEPAG culture medium with 4 different tempratures (25, 30, 35 and 40oC) and 5 different pH (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6) thereafter colonies diameter was measured. The data were analysed by SPSS statistical software and the optimum temperature and pH for colonies growth were determined. The data analyses showed that the optimal temperature range for the species M. purpureus is 30 to 35oC and optimum pH is 4 to 5. For the species M. fumeus the optimum temperature is 30 to 350C and optimum pH is 4 to 5.5.
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