2.3 Extraction and estimation of pigments
Pigment appraisal was done as described by (Babitha, Soccol, & Pandey, 2006) 8 in which pigmentfrom the fermented substrate with monascus purpureus was extracted using 90 % ethanol. The extraction was done by shaking at 30 3 hrs. The insoluble debris was filtered and the absorbance of the supernatant was found out spectrophotometrically for quantitating the pigments. Optical density was determined at representing wavelength and expressed as value per gram of dry fermented substrate (gdfs).Calculated the pigment yield as OD units.