Extraction technology of intracellular pigment from a Monascus strain

To improve the extraction efficiency of monascus pigment,the extraction technology of intracellular pigment was studied.According to biomass and red pigment color values,the monascus pigment producing course curve was determined by shake flask fermentation.The results showed that the peak color value of intracellular pigment appeared at the 5th day.Therefore,the culture of shake flask fermentation was harvested at the 5th day.Besides,the effects of alcohol concentration,alcohol consumption,extraction temperature and time on the extraction yield of monascus intracellular pigment were studied by single factor and orthogonal tests.The extraction conditions presented as A1B3C3D3 and A1B1C3D3 were efficient.Furthermore,the optimal conditions was determined as A1B1C3D3,that was,alcohol concentration 60%vol,alcohol consumption 10ml/g,extraction temperature 50℃ and extraction time 50min,by which the extraction rate reached 65.94%.