Monascus purpureus
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M. purpureus
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| Binomial name | |
| Monascus purpureus (Went, 1895)
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Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Monascus purpureus (syn. M. albidus, M. anka, M. araneosus, M. major, M. rubiginosus, and M. vini; simplified Chinese: 红曲菌; traditional Chinese: 紅麴菌; pinyin: hóng qū jùn, lit. "red yeast") is a species of mold that is purplish-red in color. It is also known by the names ang-khak rice mold, corn silage mold, maize silage mold, and rice kernel discoloration.
Growth
During growth, Monascus spp. breaks down starch substrate into several metabolites, of which pigments are produced as secondary metabolites. The structure of pigments depends on type of substrate and other specific factors during culture such as pH temperature and moisture content.[1][2]
Importance
This fungus is most important because of its use, in the form of red yeast rice, in the production of certain fermented foods in China. However, discoveries of cholesterol-lowering statins produced by the mold has prompted research into its possible medical uses. It produces a number of statins. The naturally occurring lovastatins and analogs are called monacolins K, L, J, and also occur in their hydroxyl acid forms along with dehydroxymonacolin and compactin (mevastatin). The prescription drug lovastatin, identical to monacolin K, is the principal statin produced by Monascus purpureus. Only the open-ring (hyroxyl acid) form is pharmacologically active.
Commercial Species
The related fungi Monascus ruber and Monascus pilosus are also used in industrial applications.[3]
See also
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References
- ↑ Chiang Mai Journal of Science
- ↑ Idosi Publication
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Bibhu Prasad Panda, Saleem Javed, Mohd. Ali (2010) Optimization of fermentation parameters for higher lovastatin production in red mold rice through co-culture of Monascus purpureus and Monascus ruber. Food and Bioprocess Technology,Vol. 3, no.3, 373-378 [1]
- Index Fungorum page (synonyms)
- Index Fungorum page (general)
- Monascus purpureus page
- Website about medicinal use of Monascus purpureus
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