Optimization of yellow pigment production by Monascus purpureus from banana peel

The purpose of this research is mainly to study the optimization of yellow pigment production by Monascus purpureus from banana peel. There has been an increasing trend towards replacement of synthetic colorants with natural pigments in last decades due to the high demand of natural products. Bacterial pigments are considered as an alternative to produce natural colour. Production of yellow pigment of Monascus purpureus grow on agricultural waste that is banana peels was studies. From the study, the optimum growth temperature of Monascus purpureus and pigment production is at 30°C, 60 % moisture content and optimum pH is 5.5. The pigment extracted was with ethanol as a solvent. Measurement of yellow pigment carried out using UV-VIS 1800 spectrophotometer at 400 nm. The relation of three parameters, were further studies on Response Surface Methodology. By the point prediction tool of Design-Expert 6.7, the optimum values of the factors for maximum pigment production were determined: initial substrate moisture content 57.5%, pH 5.5 and temperature 40˚C. With this point optimization, the pigment yield for yellow pigment is 2.2104 OD/gram dry solid was closely to 2.3754 OD/gram dry solid with is the predicted yield