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International Journal of Molecular... Dec 2023Statins have been used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy. Natural fermentation processes of fungi such as spp., spp.,... (Review)
Review
Statins have been used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy. Natural fermentation processes of fungi such as spp., spp., , and have given rise to natural statins. Compactin (mevastatin), the original naturally occurring statin, is the primary biotransformation substrate in the manufacturing process of marketed drugs. Statins are classified into natural, semi-synthetic derivatives of natural statins, and synthetic ones. Synthetic statins differ from natural statins in their structural composition, with the only common feature being the HMG-CoA-like moiety responsible for suppressing HMG-CoA reductase. Statins do not differ significantly regarding their pleiotropic and adverse effects, but their characteristics depend on their pharmacokinetic parameters and chemical properties. This paper focuses on describing the processes of obtaining natural statins, detailing the pharmacokinetics of available statins, divided into natural and synthetic, and indicating their pleiotropic effects.
Topics: Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Pharmacy; Fungi; Lovastatin
PubMed: 38203637
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010466 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023, a key player in fermented food production, is known for generating pigments (MPs) and monacolin K (MK), possessing bioactive properties. However, the limited...
, a key player in fermented food production, is known for generating pigments (MPs) and monacolin K (MK), possessing bioactive properties. However, the limited stability of MPs and mycotoxin citrinin (CTN) constrain the industry. Extremolytes like ectoine, derived from bacteria, exhibit cytoprotective potential. Here, we investigated the impact of ectoine on ATCC 16365, emphasizing development and secondary metabolism. Exogenous 5 mM ectoine supplementation substantially increased the yields of MPs and MK (105%-150%) and reduced CTN production. Ectoine influenced mycelial growth, spore development, and gene expression in . Remarkably, ectoine biosynthesis was achieved in , showing comparable effects to exogenous addition. Notably, endogenous ectoine effectively enhanced the stability of MPs under diverse stress conditions. Our findings propose an innovative strategy for augmenting the production and stability of bioactive compounds while reducing CTN levels, advancing the industry.
PubMed: 37685150
DOI: 10.3390/foods12173217 -
Nutrients Sep 2023Dyslipidemia, a condition implying high cardiovascular risks, has been widely studied on its potential nutrition interventions, including functional foods. This study... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Dyslipidemia, a condition implying high cardiovascular risks, has been widely studied on its potential nutrition interventions, including functional foods. This study aims to examine the effect of nattokinase monascus supplements (NMSs) on cardiovascular biomarkers and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with dyslipidemia. A total of 113 eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive either NMSs or a placebo (55 and 58, respectively). After a 120-day intervention, there were significant mean absolute changes in total cholesterol (TC), low-density cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density cholesterol (non-HDL-C), and low-density cholesterol to high-density cholesterol ratio (LDL-C to HDL-C ratio), with values of -0.52 (95% CI: -0.51 to -0.54) mmol/L, -0.43 (95% CI: -0.45 to -0.41) mmol/L, -0.52 (95% CI: -0.52 to -0.52) mmol/L, and -0.29 (95% CI: -0.30 to -0.28) mmol/L, respectively, between the two groups. However, no significant differences were found in triglycerides (TGs), high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), and CIMT. Furthermore, the results for lipids and CIMT remained essentially unchanged after adjusting for various confounding factors using the analysis of covariance model. There were no significant differences in coagulation, liver function, renal function, or other indicators. No intervention-related adverse events, such as mouth ulcers, drooling, and stomach pain, were reported. The study results demonstrate that NMSs can ameliorate lipid levels (TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and the LDL-C to HDL-C ratio) without the occurrence of adverse events. However, it did not significantly affect serum TG, HDL-C, and CIMT.
Topics: Humans; Cholesterol, LDL; Monascus; Cholesterol, HDL; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Hypercholesterolemia; Triglycerides; Dyslipidemias; Hyperlipidemias; Double-Blind Method
PubMed: 37836525
DOI: 10.3390/nu15194239 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023In order to study the effects and mechanism of Monascus on the quality of hairtail surimi, high-throughput sequencing technology, headspace solid-phase...
In order to study the effects and mechanism of Monascus on the quality of hairtail surimi, high-throughput sequencing technology, headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS), and electronic nose techniques were used to investigate the changes in the quality, microbial diversity, and volatile flavor compounds of Monascus-fermented hairtail surimi (MFHS) during fermentation. The results showed that the total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) index of hairtail surimi fermented by Monascus for 0-5 h met the requirements of the national standard. Among them, the 1 h group showed the best gel quality, which detected a total of 138 volatile substances, including 20 alcohols, 7 aldehydes, 12 olefins, 4 phenols, 12 alkanes, 8 ketones, 15 esters, 6 acids, 16 benzenes, 4 ethers, and 8 amines, as well as 26 other compounds. In addition, the dominant fungal microorganisms in the fermentation process of MFHS were identified, and a Spearman correlation analysis showed that 16 fungal microorganisms were significantly correlated with the decrease in fishy odor substances in the fermented fish and that 8 fungal microorganisms were significantly correlated with the increase in aromatic substances after fermentation. In short, Monascus fermentation can eliminate and reduce the fishy odor substances in hairtail fish, increase and improve the aromatic flavor, and improve the quality of hairtail surimi gel. These findings are helpful for revealing the mechanism of the quality formation of fermented surimi and provide guidance for the screening of starter culture in the future.
PubMed: 37569159
DOI: 10.3390/foods12152891 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Filamentous fungi are well-known for their ability to form mycelial pellets during submerged cultures, a characteristic that has been extensively studied and applied....
Filamentous fungi are well-known for their ability to form mycelial pellets during submerged cultures, a characteristic that has been extensively studied and applied. However, , a filamentous saprophytic fungus with a rich history of medicinal and culinary applications, has not been widely documented for pellet formation. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing pellet formation in and their impact on citrinin production, a key secondary metabolite. Through systematic exploration, we identified pH and inoculum size as critical factors governing pellet formation. exhibited optimal pellet growth within the acidic pH range from 5 to 6, resulting in smaller, more homogeneous pellets with lower citrinin content. Additionally, we found that inoculum size played a vital role, with lower spore concentrations favoring the formation of small, uniformly distributed pellets. The choice of carbon and nitrogen sources also influenced pellet stability, with glucose, peptone, and fishmeal supporting stable pellet formation. Notably, citrinin content was closely linked to pellet diameter, with larger pellets exhibiting higher citrinin levels. Our findings shed light on optimizing pellet formation for enhanced citrinin production and provide valuable insights into the cultivation of this fungus for various industrial applications. Further research is warranted to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these observations.
PubMed: 37998925
DOI: 10.3390/jof9111120 -
Current Microbiology May 2024The fungus Monascus is a well-known source of secondary metabolites with interesting pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In particular, Monascus pigments...
The fungus Monascus is a well-known source of secondary metabolites with interesting pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. In particular, Monascus pigments possess a wide range of biological activities (e.g. antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or antitumoral). To broaden the scope of their possible application, this study focused on testing Monascus pigment extracts as potential photosensitizing agents efficient in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against bacteria. For this purpose, eight different extracts of secondary metabolites from the liquid- and solid-state fermentation of Monascus purpureus DBM 4360 and Monascus sp. DBM 4361 were tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative model bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and further screened for ESKAPE pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To the bacterial culture, increasing concentration of extracts was added and it was found that all extracts showed varying antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria in dark, which was further increased after irradiation. Gram-negative bacteria were tolerant to the extracts' exposure in the dark but sensitivity to almost all extracts that occurred after irradiation. The Monascus sp. DBM 4361 extracts seemed to be the best potential candidate for aPDT against Gram-positive bacteria, being efficient at low doses, i.e. the lowest total concentration of Monascus pigments exhibiting aPDT effect was 3.92 ± 1.36 mg/L for E. coli. Our results indicate that Monascus spp., forming monascuspiloin as the major yellow pigment and not-forming mycotoxin citrinin, is a promising source of antimicrobials and photoantimicrobials.
Topics: Monascus; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Mycelium; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Photosensitizing Agents; Biological Products; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Complex Mixtures; Pigments, Biological; Photochemotherapy
PubMed: 38771359
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03725-6 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023To reduce the production cost of pigments (MPs), the utilization of rice bran (RB), an agricultural waste product, as a substrate in submerged fermentation was...
To reduce the production cost of pigments (MPs), the utilization of rice bran (RB), an agricultural waste product, as a substrate in submerged fermentation was conducted in this study. To improve MP production, different nutritional ingredients including mannitol (Man), NHNO (AN), ZnSO (Zn), and optimization (Opti), which was a synthesis of the three above ones, were added in rice bran (RB) medium. The yields of MPs, pigment constituents, and growth and development of M9 were investigated in this study. Man had the maximum color value of 3,532 U/g, which was 18.69 times more than that of RB and reached up to 76.65% of the value of rice (Rice) fermentation. Man significantly increased the production of two orange pigments, monascorubrin and rubropunctatin, of which the yields were 69.49 and 95.36% of the counterpart of Rice. The biomass and colony diameter of Opti presented the maximum value among different groups. AN and RB induced more asexual spore formation, whereas Opti and Man promoted sexual spore production. Comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that different nutritional ingredients led to changes in pigment production, promoting the growth and development of M9 through the regulation of related gene expression. Man and Opti improved MP production by regulating the primary metabolism, including the Embden-Meyerhof pathway (EMP), the pentose phosphate (PP) pathway, the tricarboxylic (TCA) cycle, fatty acid degradation (FAD), fatty acid biosynthesis (FAB), amino acid metabolism (AAM), and fructose and mannose metabolism (FMM), to provide the precursors (acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA) for MP biosynthesis. This study presents a low-cost method for increasing MP production and explains the molecular mechanisms of different nutritional ingredients for enhancing MP biosynthesis.
PubMed: 38156009
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1300461 -
Heliyon Aug 2023are widely used around the world, mainly in purging and removal of endogenous active substances, such as anthraquinone and its derivatives. However, the potential...
are widely used around the world, mainly in purging and removal of endogenous active substances, such as anthraquinone and its derivatives. However, the potential toxicity of anthraquinones to the liver, kidney, and intestinal limits the application of . In this study, we aimed at safe regulation of to degrade anthraquinones, boosting medicinal properties and reducing toxicity and potency with fermentation strains H1102 for fermentation were selected as the initial strain which was capable of producing high yields of functional pigment and low yields of hazardous citrinin. The anthraquinone degradation rate reached 41.2%, with 212.2 U mL of the pigment and approximately 0.038 mg L of the citrinin under optimal fermentation conditions followed by response surface streamlining, which met the requirements of reducing toxicity, increasing efficiency of fermented . Furthermore, the culture had no observable toxic effect on HK-2 and L-02 cells and further inhibited cell apoptosis and necrosis. Overall, our results showed that fermentation could provide an alternative strategy for toxicity reduction of herbal medicines as well as efficacy enhancement.
PubMed: 37560635
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18735 -
Biotechnology For Biofuels and... May 2024Taurine, a semi-essential micronutrient, could be utilized as a sulfur source for some bacteria; however, little is known about its effect on the accumulation of...
Taurine-mediated gene transcription and cell membrane permeability reinforced co-production of bioethanol and Monascus azaphilone pigments for a newly isolated Monascus purpureus.
BACKGROUND
Taurine, a semi-essential micronutrient, could be utilized as a sulfur source for some bacteria; however, little is known about its effect on the accumulation of fermentation products. Here, it investigated the effect of taurine on co-production of bioethanol and Monascus azaphilone pigments (MonAzPs) for a fungus.
RESULTS
A newly isolated fungus of 98.92% identity with Monascus purpureus co-produced 23.43 g/L bioethanol and 66.12, 78.01 and 62.37 U/mL red, yellow and orange MonAzPs for 3 d in synthetic medium (SM). Taurine enhanced bioethanol titer, ethanol productivity and ethanol yield at the maximum by 1.56, 1.58 and 1.60 times than those of the control in corn stover hydrolysates (CSH), and red, yellow and orange MonAzPs were raised by 1.24, 1.26 and 1.29 times, respectively. Taurine was consumed extremely small quantities for M. purpureus and its promotional effect was not universal for the other two biorefinery fermenting strains. Taurine intensified the gene transcription of glycolysis (glucokinase, phosphoglycerate mutase, enolase and alcohol dehydrogenase) and MonAzPs biosynthesis (serine hydrolases, C-11-ketoreductase, FAD-dependent monooxygenase, 4-O-acyltransferase, deacetylase, NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoredutase, FAD-dependent oxidoredutase, enoyl reductase and fatty acid synthase) through de novo RNA-Seq assays. Furthermore, taurine improved cell membrane permeability through changing cell membrane structure by microscopic imaging assays.
CONCLUSIONS
Taurine reinforced co-production of bioethanol and MonAzPs by increasing gene transcription level and cell membrane permeability for M. purpureus. This work would offer an innovative, efficient and taurine-based co-production system for mass accumulation of the value-added biofuels and biochemicals from lignocellulosic biomass.
PubMed: 38702823
DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02511-7 -
Heliyon Jun 2024Exploring the symbiotic potential between fungal and yeast species, this study investigates the co-cultivation dynamics of , a prolific producer of pharmacologically...
Exploring the symbiotic potential between fungal and yeast species, this study investigates the co-cultivation dynamics of , a prolific producer of pharmacologically relevant secondary metabolites, and . The collaborative interaction between these microorganisms catalyzed a substantial elevation in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, prominently Monacolin K and natural pigments. Central to our discoveries was the identification and enhanced production of oxylipins (13S-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid,13S-HODE), putative quorum-sensing molecules, within the co-culture environment. Augmentation with exogenous oxylipins not only boosted Monacolin K production by over half but also mirrored morphological adaptations in , affecting both spores and mycelial structures. This augmentation was paralleled by a significant upregulation in the transcriptional activity of genes integral to the Monacolin K biosynthetic pathway, as well as genes implicated in pigment and spore formation. Through elucidating the interconnected roles of quorum sensing, G-protein-coupled receptors, and the G-protein-mediate signaling pathway, this study provides a comprehensive view of the molecular underpinnings facilitating these metabolic enhancements. Collectively, our findings illuminate the profound influence of co-culture on , advocating for oxylipins as a pivotal quorum-sensing mechanism driving the observed symbiotic benefits.
PubMed: 38845857
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31619