Scientists studied how to produce natural yellow, orange, and red pigments from the fungus Monascus pilosus in liquid culture. They found that the type of sugar and nitrogen used in the fermentation significantly affects pigment production. Interestingly, glucose actually reduces pigment formation through a process called carbon catabolite repression. M. pilosus offers a safer alternative to other Monascus species because it does not produce the harmful toxin citrinin, making it suitable for use in food products.