Zinc and Amino Acids: Important Components of a Medium Promoting Growth of Monascus Purpureus

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Abstract
Monascus purpureus Went grew better in glucose-peptone-yeast extract broth than in any other natural medium tried, and did not grow nearly so well in a Czapek-Dox mineral-salts-glucose broth. A metal ion (zinc) and a particular combination of amino acids (glycine, leucine, and tryptophan) have been found to be important components of the richer medium responsible for the increased growth. A synthetic medium producing as good or better growth than the natural medium has been devised. Zinc has been shown to be an extremely important element in the nutrition of M. purpureus. Supplemental interactions of zinc with amino acids leading to increased growth responses were repeatedly noted in minimal media where glucose was also a source of carbon. The data presented suggest the involvement of zinc in regulatory mechanisms controlling interrelationships between carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism in this species.