Brown pigment production by Penicillium. Purpurogenum using Moringa oleifera leaves and identification of phytochemicals by analytical techniques

Abstract

Water soluble dyes or pigments are of fungal origin, are imparting pleasing and attractive colors to food and textile. These pigments are generally produced from Moringa. Oleifera. In the current investigation, the Penicillium. Purpurogenum was used for the fermentative production of pigments from fresh leaves of Moringa. Oleifera. The optimal conditions for microbial production were at pH 5.5, temperature 37oC and production time 7 days. After the production, the pigments were analysed for biologically active phytochemicals by performing spectroscopic techniques like UV-Vis, FTIR, Proton-NMR spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.