LAUSR

ABSTRACT In this study, Monascus pigments were separated from the extractive fermentation broth by the combination of reverse micellar extraction and macroporous resins (MACR) adsorption with the alkalizing S-8 MACR (S-8 ALR). A 95.07% pigment adsorption was achieved together with a relative low Triton X-100 co-adsorption that was only 2.53%. The liquid intraparticle diffusion and film diffusion limit the pigment adsorption rate. A 79.48–84.03% of the pigment could be eluted from the resin using the methanol solution containing a 0.5% (w/v) hydrochloric acid. The S-8 ALR could be recovered for cycle use without a deficit of the adsorption or desorption efficiency. Abbreviations: ACR—Acidified resin; ALR—Alkalizing resin; HPLC—High performance liquid chromatography; PSM—pigment- surfactant micelle; TEM—Transmission electron microscopy.