Effect of Molasses Concentration on the Pigment Production of Monascus purpureus M9 on Monascus Fermented Durian Seed

Efforts have been made to cultivate Monascus purpureus on durian seed to produce Monascus Fermented Durian Seed (MFDS). MFDS pigment production could be enhanched by substrate addition by adding carbon source such as molasses. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of molasses concentration on the production of M.purpureus M9 pigment in MFDS. The research used randomized block design with one factor, namely the concentration of molasses (M) with six treatment levels, M0 = 0%; M1 = 2%; M2 = 4%; M3= 6%; M4 = 8% and M5 = 10% with four repetitions. Findings showed that molasses addition had a significant effect on the color of MFDS powder, water soluble pigment level, 99.9% ethanol soluble pigment level and the pigment profile for both solvents. The best treatment based on pigment content was the M4 treatment with an ‘L value’ of 43.83, a* value of 14.92, b* value of 7.08, C value of 16.54, o H value of 24.45 and aquades soluble pigment content of 16.86AU/g (yellow); 9.23AU/g (orange); and 8.19AU/g (red) and ethanol soluble pigment content of 9.8AU/g (yellow); 2.5AU/g (orange); and 3.0 AU/g (red). Molasses is able to enhance pigment production of Monascus purpureus M9 of MFDS.