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Fitoterapia Jan 2022Highland barley Monascus has historically been used in solid state fermentation and traditional fermented foods in Tibet. It is possessed of the characteristics of...
Highland barley Monascus has historically been used in solid state fermentation and traditional fermented foods in Tibet. It is possessed of the characteristics of medicine and food. Three new 8,13-unsaturated benzocyclodiketone-conjugated Monascus pigments (1-3), three new benzofuran Monascus pigments (4-6), three new butylated malonyl Monascus pigments (7-9), and eleven known Monascus pigment derivatives (10-20) were isolated from highland barley Monascus for the first time. Their structures were determined by analyzing NMR, MS, UV, and IR spectral data and compared with relevant references. Among them, compounds 2, 4, 6 showed important inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity, and decreased significantly FFA-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 liver cells. Additionally, compounds 1, 10, 14, 16, 18 exhibited certain hepatoprotective activities against the damage in acetaminophen-induced HepG2 cells. The plausible biogenetic pathway and preliminary structure activity relationship of the selected compounds were scientifically summarized and discussed in this work.
Topics: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hordeum; Hypolipidemic Agents; Liver; Mass Spectrometry; Monascus; Pigments, Biological; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 34838621
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2021.105090 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Oct 2021Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is rich in a variety of biologically active ingredients, which shows good effect in the treatment of metabolic diseases. Monascus has...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is rich in a variety of biologically active ingredients, which shows good effect in the treatment of metabolic diseases. Monascus has lipid-lowering activity and one of its metabolites, lovastatin, is widely used in clinical practice.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of fermented Panax ginseng by Monascus ruber (PM) on lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in rats fed a high-fat diet.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, the therapeutic effect of PM on HFD-induced obesity, hyperlipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and disordered gut microbiota were determined in rats.
RESULTS
PM could attenuate features of obesity in rats, decrease serum TC, LDL-C and IgA levels, increase excretion of bile acids in feces. Hepatic histopathologic analysis revealed that PM decrease lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Consistently, mRNA expression levels of cholesterol metabolism-related genes were regulated in the livers of HFD-fed rats administered with PM. In addition, PM could enhance the diversity and relative abundance of gut microbiota, reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, increase significantly the relative abundance of Prevotella_9, and decrease these of Muribaculaceae.
CONCLUSIONS
PM could regulate lipid metabolism and the structure of the gut microbiota in the HFD rats. Our findings provide valuable experience for the development of ginseng. PM could be a potentially effective strategy to prevent and treat metabolic diseases and alleviate the gut microbiota disturbance caused by it.
Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Diet, High-Fat; Epithelial Cells; Fermentation; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Monascus; Panax; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
PubMed: 34098018
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114300 -
Enzyme and Microbial Technology Jan 2023The industrial production of monascus yellow pigments (MYPs) has not yet been done due to the lack of high-quality industrial Monascus strains. In this work, we employed...
The industrial production of monascus yellow pigments (MYPs) has not yet been done due to the lack of high-quality industrial Monascus strains. In this work, we employed carbon ion beam (C) irradiation to screen Monascus strains that produce high-quality extracellular MYPs (extr-MYPs). One genetically stable M. purpureus mutant of BWY-5 with extr-MYPs accumulation was obtained under C irradiation (80 MeV/u, 200 Gy). M. purpureus BWY-5 could use various nitrogen sources to produce single pH stable extr-MYPs (around 80 AU at 370 nm). Moreover, citrinin was not detected by HPLC method. Transcriptomics of the MYP production strain suggested that Carbon ion beam irradiation led to deletion (MpigF, MpigG and MpigH), downregulation (CtnE, CtnH and CtnI) and upregulation (MpigM) of genes related with biosynthesis of MOPs and MRPs, citrinin, and extr-MYPs, respectively. The results showed that M. purpureus BWY-5 has the potential to be used as an industrial Monascus strain and platform for extr-MYPs production and monascus polyketide synthetic pathway studies, respectively.
Topics: Monascus; Nitrogen; Citrinin; Carbon; Pigments, Biological
PubMed: 36137417
DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2022.110121 -
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Jun 2014Edible fungi of the Monascus species have been used as traditional Chinese medicine in eastern Asia for several centuries. Monascus-fermented products possess a number... (Review)
Review
Edible fungi of the Monascus species have been used as traditional Chinese medicine in eastern Asia for several centuries. Monascus-fermented products possess a number of functional secondary metabolites, including anti-inflammatory pigments (such as monascin and ankaflavin [AK]), monacolins, and dimerumic acid. These secondary metabolites have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-tumor activities. We found that AK positively regulates several transcription factors associated with the prevention of metabolic syndrome and other diseases, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, PPAR-alpha, and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2). AK reduced hyperglycemia and enhanced pancreatic function via PPAR-gamma activation and increased lipid metabolism due to PPAR-alpha activation. The compound also exerted antioxidant effects via activation of Nrf2. These results suggest that AK belongs to the class of selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor modulators (SPPARMs), which are associated with a good safety profile when used in patients suffering from metabolic syndrome. Together with our studies to determine how AK production can be increased during Monascus fermentation, these data demonstrate the great potential of AK as a nutraceutical or therapeutic agent.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Flavins; Metabolic Syndrome; Monascus; PPAR alpha; Pigments, Biological; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 24728716
DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5716-5 -
Food Chemistry Aug 2022This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sodium caseinate (SC) on the thermal stability of Monascus pigments (MPs) under acidic conditions (pH 3.0) during heating at...
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of sodium caseinate (SC) on the thermal stability of Monascus pigments (MPs) under acidic conditions (pH 3.0) during heating at 100 °C at different time (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min). The MPs solution was precipitated after heating in an acidic condition, while it was stable in the presence of SC. Particle size results indicated the formation of MP-SC complex nanoparticles. Their values (141) were much smaller than MP and significantly improved the solubility and stability of MP in acidic conditions. The formation of covalent interactions (CC at peak 1643-1654 and NO stretching at peak (1537-1539) and hydrogen bonds (CH binding at peak 1452-1454) between MPs and SC were clear. Overall, the formation of the MP-SC complex was attributed to the covalent interactions and hydrogen bonds between MPs and SC, leading to the inhibition of MPs aggregation and improved stability in acidic solution.
Topics: Caseins; Fermentation; Monascus; Pigmentation; Pigments, Biological; Solubility
PubMed: 35189434
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132480 -
Yeast (Chichester, England) Jan 2023When Monascus purpureus was co-cultured with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we noted significant changes in the secondary metabolism and morphological development of...
When Monascus purpureus was co-cultured with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we noted significant changes in the secondary metabolism and morphological development of Monascus. In yeast co-culture, although the pH was not different from that of a control, the Monascus mycelial biomass increased during fermentation, and the Monacolin K yield was significantly enhanced (up to 58.87% higher). However, pigment production did not increase. Co-culture with S. cerevisiae significantly increased the expression levels of genes related to Monacolin K production (mokA-mokI), especially mokE, mokF, and mokG. Linoleic acid, that has been implicated in playing a regulating role in the secondary metabolism and morphology of Monascus, was hypothesized to be the effector. Linoleic acid was detected in the co-culture, and its levels changed during fermentation. Addition of linoleic acid increased Monacolin K production and caused similar morphological changes in Monascus spores and mycelia. Exogenous linoleic acid also significantly upregulated the transcription levels of all nine genes involved in the biosynthesis of Monacolin K (up to 69.50% higher), consistent with the enhanced Monacolin K yield. Taken together, our results showed the effect of S. cerevisiae co-culture on M. purpureus and suggested linoleic acid as a specific quorum-sensing molecule in Saccharomyces-Monascus co-culture.
Topics: Linoleic Acid; Monascus; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Coculture Techniques; Fermentation; Lovastatin
PubMed: 36514193
DOI: 10.1002/yea.3831 -
Food Research International (Ottawa,... Oct 2020Monascus-fermented rice has been used to treat digestive disorder and promote blood circulation in China and other Asian countries for centuries. However, the effects...
Monascus purpureus-fermented common buckwheat protects against dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through the regulation of liver metabolome and intestinal microbiome.
Monascus-fermented rice has been used to treat digestive disorder and promote blood circulation in China and other Asian countries for centuries. However, the effects and mechanisms of Monascus purpureus-fermented common buckwheat (HQ) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dyslipidemia are unclear. Here, oral supplementation of HQ significantly inhibited the abnormal growth of body weight and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), prevented the hypertrophy of epididymal adipocytes, ameliorated some biochemical parameters of serum and liver related to lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFD). Histological analysis also showed that the excessive accumulation of lipid droplets in the livers induced by HFD-feeding was greatly alleviated by HQ supplementation. Metagenomic analysis revealed that HQ supplementation made significant structural changes in the intestinal microflora of mice fed with HFD. The Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that physiological index, serum and liver lipid profiles were positively correlated with Bacteroidales S24-7, Streptococcus, Allobaculum, and Clostridiales XIII, but negatively associated with Lactobacillus, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214 group, Ruminiclostridium, and Alistipes. UPLC-QTOF/MS-based liver metabolomics demonstrated that HQ intervention had significant regulatory effects on the metabolic pathways of primary bile acid biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, ether lipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, etc. Additionally, HQ intervention regulated the mRNA levels of hepatic genes involved in hepatic lipid metabolism and bile acid homeostasis. Collectively, these findings present new evidence supporting that HQ has the potential to ameliorate dyslipidemia and NAFLD via modulating the intestinal microbial populations and hepatic metabolite profile in hyperlipidemic mice induced by HFD.
Topics: Animals; Asia; China; Diet, High-Fat; Fagopyrum; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Metabolome; Mice; Monascus; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
PubMed: 32846589
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109511 -
Microbiological Research May 2022Monascus spp. are filamentous fungi used in fermented foods. They are also natural colorants and food preservatives. Certain metabolites of Monascus spp. lower...
Monascus spp. are filamentous fungi used in fermented foods. They are also natural colorants and food preservatives. Certain metabolites of Monascus spp. lower cholesterol and have other health-promoting effects in humans. In the present study, we demonstrated that the fermentation products of Monascus spp. inhibited ATP synthesis and motility in toxigenic Vibrio cholerae. Single-cell tracking and rotation assays on single flagella showed that Monascus fermentation extract (MFE) significantly impaired V. cholerae swimming by disrupting flagellar rotation. A membrane potential-sensitive carbocyanine dye revealed that MFE depolarized the V. cholerae cell membrane which, in turn, lowered the membrane potential and, by extension, restricted ATP synthesis and flagellar rotation. MFE also severely hindered the motility of other pathogenic bacteria such as V. parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, and Leptospira interrogans. The foregoing findings indicate that Monascus fermentation extract could potentially preventing infection caused by multiple pathogenic bacteria as the conventional prophylaxes and slow their progression and lower mortality and morbidity.
Topics: Fermentation; Flagella; Humans; Monascus; Salmonella typhimurium; Vibrio cholerae
PubMed: 35220137
DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.126995 -
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis Mar 2023Red mold rice (RMR) is a traditional Chinese medicine prepared using Monascus fermentation. Monascus ruber ( pilosus) and Monascus purpureus have a long history of use...
Red mold rice (RMR) is a traditional Chinese medicine prepared using Monascus fermentation. Monascus ruber ( pilosus) and Monascus purpureus have a long history of use as food and medicine. As an economically important starter culture, the relationship between the taxonomy of Monascus and production capabilities of secondary metabolites is crucial for the Monascus food industry. In this study, monacolin K, monascin, ankaflavin, and citrinin production by M. purpureus and M. ruber were genomically and chemically investigated. Our findings suggest that M. purpureus can produce monascin and ankaflavin in a correlated manner, whereas M. ruber produces monascin with minimum ankaflavin. M. purpureus is capable of producing citrinin; however, it is unlikely able to produce monacolin K. In contrast, M. ruber produces monacolin K, but not citrinin. We suggest that the current monacolin K content-related regulation of Monascus food should be revised, and labeling of Monascus species should be considered.
Topics: Monascus; Fermentation; Lovastatin; Oryza
PubMed: 37224553
DOI: 10.38212/2224-6614.3438 -
Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering Apr 2022Monascus purpureus have been used for making koji and other fermented foods and supplements. M. purpureus characteristically produces monacolin K (MK), a secondary...
Monascus purpureus have been used for making koji and other fermented foods and supplements. M. purpureus characteristically produces monacolin K (MK), a secondary metabolite that competitively inhibits cholesterol synthesis. Synchrotron light irradiation was applied to induce mutation in the strain KUPM5 to improve the MK-producing ability of M. purpureus strain KUPM5. Screening by a bioassay utilizing sensitivities to yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae from 936 colonies allows isolating three mutant strains: SC01, SC02, and SC03. These mutant strains and the parental strain KUPM5 were subjected to make koji using rice, and their metabolites were compared. All strains SC01, SC02, and SC03 in koji showed higher production of MK than the strain KUPM5. Particularly, the SC02 strain produced MK threefold higher than KUPM5 and maintained the production capabilities of other metabolites, including red, yellow, and orange pigments, mycelial contents, and α-amylase activity comparable to those of the strain KUPM5. Comparative genome analysis among strain KUPM5 and the mutants revealed that synchrotron light irradiation introduced mutations in approximately 90% of the total genes, including SNV, MNV, and indel mutations. The frequencies of SNV substitution in the whole genome occupied 68.96% of all mutations, of which 92.38% were transversions and 7.62% were transitions. This study, therefore, proved the synchrotron light irradiation was highly efficient for the strain improvement of a filamentous fungus, M. purpureus, and provided insights into the properties of mutation in the fungus by this mutagen.
Topics: Fermentation; Fermented Foods; Lovastatin; Monascus; Pigments, Biological; Synchrotrons
PubMed: 35105506
DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2021.11.011