Solid state fermentation (SSF) has emerged as an effective alternative
for liquid, culture-based fermentation technology. The substrates
used in SSF supply the basic nutrients to the microorganisms
and serve as an anchor for the cells (8). Interestingly, recent
studies report that SSF provides a more adequate habitat for fungi,
resulting in high pigment production in a relatively low-cost process
when agro-industrial wastes are used as substrate. Agro-industrial
wastes such as rice bran, wheat bran, coconut oil cake, sesame
oil cake, palm kernel cake, groundnut oil cake, cassava powder,
spent brewing grain, and jackfruit seed powder have been screened
to select the best substrate for pigment production (8). However, to
our knowledge no effort has been made to utilize the corn cob for
this purpose. The cob is the central core of the maize (Zea mays ssp.
mays L.) seed head or “ear.” When harvesting corn the cob is collected
as part of the ear, leaving the corn stover in the field. Corn
cobs are an important source of furfural, an aromatic aldehyde used
in a wide variety of industrial processes. Although of little nutrititional
value, corn cobs can be used as fiber in ruminant fodder.
For many years corn cobs have also been made into charcoal. The
corn cob contains considerable amounts of polysaccharides (such
as cellulose and hemicelluloses), which promote fungal growth and
thereby increase pigment yield.