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This study compared the nutritional components, isoflavones, and antioxidant activities by solid-sate fermentation of Apios americana Medikus (AAM) with seven different fungi. The total fatty acid contents increased from 120.5 mg/100 g (unfermented AAM, UFAAM) to 242.0 to 3167.5 mg/100 g (fermented AAM, FAAM) with all fungi. In particular, the values of total fatty acids were highest (26.3-fold increase) in the FAAM with Monascus purpureus. The amount of total free amino acids increased from 591.69 mg/100 g (UFAAM) to 664.38 to 1603.07 mg/100 g after fermentation except for Monascus pilosus and Lentinula edodes. The total mineral contents increased evidently after fermentation with M. purpureus, F. velutipes, and Tricholoma matsutake (347.36 → 588.29, 576.59, and 453.32 mg/100 g, respectively). The UFAAM predominated isoflavone glycosides, whereas glycoside forms were converted into aglycone forms after fermentation by fungi. The bioconversion rates of glycoside to aglycone were excellent in the FAAM with M. pilosus, M. purpureus, F. velutipes, and T. matsutake (0.01 → 0.69, 0.50, 0.27, and 0.31 mg/g, respectively). Furthermore, the total phenolic contents, total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities by the abovementioned FAAM were high except for L.edodes. This FAAM can be used as a potential food and pharmaceutical materials., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

As a sanitary textile that directly contacts sensitive parts of the human body, such as mouth, nose and eyes, towel is very important for our daily life and health. However, the colored cellulose towels we use daily are dyed with synthetic dyes. This can be a problem for people with sensitive skin, particularly babies. In this research, cellulose towel fabric was dyed using a nano-level Monascus pigment dyeing solution, which eliminated the need for organic solvent to dissolve the pigment, making it an environmentally friendly dyeing scheme. After 90 °C pre-mordanting treatment and 80 °C dyeing for 30 min respectively, the K/S value of towel fabric could reach 9. In addition, the washing fastness of dyed towel fabric was 3-4, the dry/wet friction fastness was 4-5 and 3-4, and the K/S value remained high even after 20 washing times, and also demonstrated a certain level of UV resistance and antibacterial properties. In conclusion, the application of the dyeing method for cellulose towel fabric with biological Monascus pigment based on a nano-suspension system was found to be both efficient and environmentally friendly, which was anticipated to replace certain traditional synthetic dyes in the future., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study explored the structure and biological activities of a novel polysaccharide, PRY1-1, isolated from red yeast rice (RYR) through solid-state fermentation and biotransformation by Monascus purpureus. The structure of PRY1-1 was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and other analytical techniques, revealing distinct differences from previously identified mycelial and extracellular polysaccharides. Functional assessments were performed on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice to evaluate the impact of PRY1-1 on lipid metabolism and gut function. The results demonstrated that PRY1-1 effectively ameliorated HFD-induced lipid metabolism disorders in the liver and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) by regulating the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), leptin, adiponectin. Additionally, PRY1-1 protected gut function by enhancing gut barrier integrity, modulating gut microbiota composition, and regulating gut metabolite levels. This study offers new insights into the mechanisms by which RYR polysaccharides influence lipid metabolism, highlighting the potential of PRY1-1 as a functional component with significant health benefits., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have declared that no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Mycelium polysaccharide (MPP) from Monascus pilosus with the compositions of glucose, galactose, mannose, glucosamine hydrochloride, rhamnose and arabinose, was obtained using alkaline extracting, and subsequently three purified components (MPP-0, MPP-0.1 and MPP-0.3) were separated. The purity and extraction volume of the MPP-0.1 fraction surpassed those of the other two groups, thus warranting its selection for subsequent experimental investigations. The sample MPP-0.1, with an average molecular weight of 3.7776 × 10 4  Da, exhibited exceptional thermal stability up to 170 °C. The main glycosidic linkage pattern of MPP-0.1 was structured as→[4)-α-D-Glcp-(1] 6  → 4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 → [2)-α-D-Manp-(1] 5  → 2)-α-D-Manp-(1 → 5)-β-D-Galf-(1 → 3)-β-D-Galf (1 → 3)-β-D-Galf-(1 → 3)-β-D-Galf-(1→, and branched Glcp, Manp, Galf fragments were connected with the main chain through →4, 6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →2, 6)-α-D-Manp-(1 → and →3, 6)-β-D-Galf-(1→. Besides, the up-regulated levels of Nitric oxide (NO), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines along with increased phagocytic activity revealed that MPP-0.1 has significant immunomodulatory effect, and can significantly enhance the proliferation and activation of RAW264.7 cells. Finally, the gene UGE (UDP-glucose 4-epimerase) was overexpressed in M. pilosus to increase the MPP production. Results showed that the biomass of the recombinant strain exhibited a remarkable increase of approximately 62.56 ± 1.50 % compared to that of the parental strain, and the extraction yield of MPP increased significantly by 83.19 ± 4.56 %., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In this study, four Monascus pigments (ankaflavin, AK; monascin MS; rubropunctatin, O 1 ; monascorubrin, O 2 ) were proved to exhibit considerable anti-glycation properties in bovine serum albumin (BSA)-fructose model. AK (40.62 %) and MS (48.38 %) were found to exert lower inhibitory effects on the formation of fluorescent advanced glycation end products (AGEs) than aminoguanidine (59.4 %), while O 1 (90.64 %) and O 2 (93.82 %) displayed much stronger abilities. AK and MS could trap methylglyoxal (MGO) with maximum capture rates of 85.67 % and 84.90 %, respectively, and only mono-MGO adducts of them were detected. LC-Orbitrap MS/MS analysis revealed that four pigments significantly altered the type and reduced the number of the glycated sites and they all covalently bound to BSA, with O 1 and O 2 possessing high reactivity. Altogether, AK and MS suppressed fluorescent AGEs formation mainly via trapping MGO and covalently interacting with BSA, and blocking free amino groups was the dominant mechanism for O 1 and O 2 . These findings presented new insights into Monascus pigments as dietary supplement for inhibiting protein glycation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Citrinin is a hepato-nephrotoxic mycotoxin produced by fungal species. The Monascus purpureus fungus plays a crucial role in the fermentation of red rice to produce red yeast rice-based food supplements, which represent the primary source of human exposure to citrinin. In this study, a simple and sensitive analytical method was successfully developed and validated for the citrinin determination in these products. The extraction process involved a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) step and citrinin determination by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The proposed method provided satisfactory linearity, percentage of recovery from 82 to 104% with relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 14%, and limits of detection and quantification of 0.07 μg/Kg and 0.24 μg/kg, respectively. Among the 14 samples analyzed, citrinin was found in two red rice samples (0.24 and 0.46 μg/kg) and in six food supplements (from 0.44 to 87 μg/kg)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Red Monascus Pigment (RMP), a natural pigment, has attracted significant attention due to its suitability for food use and potential health benefits. However, preserving its stability and exploring value-added development opportunities remain crucial challenges. This study outlined the utilization of RMP, by successfully preparing hydrogel beads encapsulating RMP crude extract (RMPCE) through Ca 2+ -mediated chitosan (CS)/sodium alginate (SA) encapsulation (CO-RMPHB). A systematic investigation into the fabrication and stability parameters, including preparation conditions, temperature, monochromatic light and storage time, was undertaken. Through optimization (SA: 2.50 wt%; CaCl 2 : 6.00 wt%; CS: 0.50 wt%), maximum encapsulation efficiency of 73.54 ± 2.16 % was achieved. The maximum swelling degree of blank hydrogel beads (BHB) in simulated gastric solution (pH = 1.2, 1.50 ± 0.97 %) was significantly lower than in simulated intestinal solution (pH = 7.0, 28.05 ± 1.43 %), confirming their sensitivity to pH changes. Additionally, the CO-RMPHB (66.08 %, 1000 μL) exhibited superior DPPH radical scavenging capability compared to individual RMPCE or BHB. Furthermore, analysis of the release kinetics based on zero-order, first-order, Higuchi, and Ritger-Peppas models revealed that RMPCE release from CO-RMPHB under in vitro digestion models followed non-Fickian diffusion. This discovery effectively addresses the challenges of the stability and controlled release of RMP, expanding its applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Monascus pigments (MPs) have been used as natural food pigments for many years. There is a high demand for Monascus red pigments (MRPs) to enhance color and for antibacterial and cancer prevention therapies in food and medicine. Most MRPs are not water soluble, and the yield of water-soluble MRPs is naturally low. On the other hand, water-soluble MRP is more cost effective for application in industrial mass production. Therefore, it is important to improve the yield of water-soluble MRPs. Environmental factors have a significant influence on the synthesis of water-soluble MRPs, which is crucial for the development of industrial production of water-soluble MRPs. This review introduces the biosynthetic pathways of water-soluble MRPs and summarizes the effects of environmental factors on the yield of water-soluble MRPs. Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is a precursor for MPs synthesis. Carbon and nitrogen sources and the carbon/nitrogen ratio can impact MP production by regulating the metabolic pathway of acetyl-CoA. Optimization of fermentation conditions to change the morphology of Monascus can stimulate the synthesis of MPs. The appropriate choice of nitrogen sources and pH values can promote the synthesis of MRPs from MPs. Additives such as metal ions and non-ionic surfactants can affect the fluidity of Monascus cell membrane and promote the transformation of MRPs into water-soluble MRPs. This review will lay the foundation for the industrial production of water-soluble MRPs. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Fermentation of red grapefruit by Monascus purpureus (M. purpureus) results in complex changes in flavor compounds and metabolic profiles, but the specifics of these alterations are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the changes in flavor compounds and metabolomic traits during this fermentation process. Using Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) with non-targeted metabolomics, we analyzed flavor compounds and measured physicochemical indices throughout the fermentation period. We identified 23 volatile flavor metabolites before and after fermentation, focusing on acids, alcohols, and aldehydes, of these, 9 showed an upward effect and 14 showed a downward effect. Key metabolic pathways involved included butyric acid, taurine, and hypotaurine, with notable downregulation of acetone and 1-butanol in the butyric acid pathway. The study reveals that butyric acid-related metabolism influences other pathways such as glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in M. purpureus. These findings provide insights into the generation of flavor compounds during fermentation and offer a theoretical basis for the industrial production of fermented citrus fruits., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. The paper was coauthored by Chan Zhang, Congcong Wang, Haijiao Wang, Arzugul Ablimit, Qing Sun, Huijun Dong, Bobo Zhang, Wenlin Hu, Chengjian Liu, Chengtao Wang. We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work, there is no professional or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service and/or company that could be construed as influencing the position presented in, or the review of, the manuscript entitled, “dentification of characteristic volatiles and metabolomic pathway during the fermentation of red grapefruit by Monascus purpureus using HS-SPME-GC-MS and metabolomics.”., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The differences in volatile flavor compounds (VFCs) between Monascus-solid-state fermented Tartary buckwheat (MSFTB) and Monascus-liquid-state fermented Tartary buckwheat (MLFTB) were investigated using electronic nose and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) analysis. The study revealed several significant differences in the composition and abundance of VFCs between the two states. Compared to MSFTB, MLFTB exhibited notable increases in various elements including protein, crude fat, total flavonoids, total polyphenols, Monacolin K, Monascus pigments. Principal component analysis demonstrated significant increases in the production of specific VFCs in MLFTB compared to MSFTB. A total of 25 VFCs were identified through GC-IMS, including 9 esters, 7 alcohols, 5 ketones, and 4 aldehydes. The content of pleasant VFCs in MLFTB was significantly higher than in MSFTB. These compounds served as both VFCs and key aroma components during fermentation. In conclusion, the Monascus fermentation state played a crucial role in enhancing the flavor quality of Tartary buckwheat., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The application of red Monascus pigments (RMPs) in food storage as well as food processing usually endures harsh environmental conditions. Here, we presented a new encapsulation strategy to improve the stability of RMPs. At first, we managed to realize the azaphilic substitution reaction between orange Monascus pigments (OMPs) and soy protein to produce water-soluble RMPs, i.e., soy protein chemically modified by OMPs. Then, the as-prepared RMPs as a kind of protein were directly utilized to fabricate microgels where microgel efficiency > 60 % (encapsulation of RMPs in microgels > 60 %) was achieved after optimization of Ca 2+ and RMP concentrations. The microgels with particle sizes < 10 μm dispersed very well in water. The stability of encapsulated RMPs in microgels under harsh environmental conditions, such as heating, acidic pH, and sunlight irradiation, had improved approximately 10-20 % compared with that of free RMPs under the same condition., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Monascus pigment (MP) is a natural food coloring with vital physiological functions but prone to degradation and color fading under light conditions., Results: This study investigated the effect of complex formation of soybean protein isolate (SPI), maltodextrin (MD), and MP on the photostability of MP. Light stability was assessed through retention rate and color difference. Fluorescence spectroscopy (FS), circular dichroism (CD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) explored MP, SPI, and MD interactions, clarifying the MP-SPI-MD complex mechanism on the light stability of MP. Microstructure and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyzed the morphology and thermal properties. The retention rate of MP increased to approximately 80%, and minimal color difference was observed when adding SPI and MD simultaneously. FS revealed hydrophobic interaction between MP and SPI. FTIR analysis showed intensity changes and peak shifts in amide I band and amide II band, which proved the hydrophobic interaction. CD showed a decrease in α-helix content and an increase in β-sheet content after complex formation, indicating strengthened hydrogen bonding interactions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated that MP was attached to the surface and interior of complexes. XRD showed MP as crystalline, while SPI and MD were amorphous, complexes exhibited weakened or absent peaks, suggesting MP encapsulation. The results of DSC were consistent with XRD., Conclusion: SPI and MD enveloped MP through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction, ultimately enhancing its light stability and providing insights for pigment-protein-polysaccharide interactions and improving pigment stability in the food industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Three new monacolin analogues, 3,6-dihydroxy-monacolin P (1), 6-methoxy monacolin S (2), and 6-methoxy dehydromonacolin S (3), were isolated from a fraction that strongly inhibited 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase from the ethyl acetate portion of red yeast rice ethanol extract. Their structures were determined through a combination of 1D and 2D NMR experiments, mass spectrometry analysis, and known literature reports., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We present a novel solid form of monascin, an azaphilonoid derivative extracted from Monascus purpureus-fermented rice. The crystal structure, C 21 H 26 O 5 , was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and belongs to the orthorhombic space group P2 1 2 1 2 1 . To gain insight into the electronic properties of the short contacts in the crystalline state of monascin, we utilized the Experimental Library of Multipolar Atom Model 2 (ELMAM2) database to transfer the electron density of monascin in its crystalline state. Hirshfeld surface analysis, fingerprint analysis, electronic properties and energetic characterization reveal that intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen bonds play a crucial role in the noncovalent bonding interactions by connecting molecules into two- and three-dimensional networks. The molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) map of the monascin molecule demonstrates that negatively charged regions located at four O atoms are favoured binding sites for more positively charged amino acid residues during molecular recognition. In addition, powder X-ray diffraction confirms that no transformation occurs during the crystallization of monascin.

Red koji polysaccharides, derived from the fermentation of Monascus, have been recognized for their health-enhancing properties. This article reviews their structural characteristics, biosynthesis pathways, and biological activities. It emphasizes the need for sustainable practices in fermentation and the optimization of extraction methods for scalable production. The significance of exploring the molecular mechanisms involved in their biosynthesis is also highlighted to enhance yield and efficiency. Research indicates that red koji polysaccharides possess diverse biological functions, beneficial for pharmaceutical applications due to their health benefits and minimal toxicity. The review points out the necessity for more detailed studies on key enzymes and genes in biosynthesis to improve production methods. It also identifies the current challenges in production scalability and extraction efficiency. Furthermore, while these polysaccharides show potential in pharmaceuticals, their clinical efficacy and mechanism of action in human subjects require further investigation. The review briefly explores potential structural modifications to improve their biological activities. The review concludes that red koji polysaccharides hold significant untapped potential, particularly in drug formulation. Future research should focus on overcoming current production and application challenges, including conducting clinical trials to validate their efficacy and exploring structural modifications for enhanced therapeutic benefits. This comprehensive understanding of red koji polysaccharides paves the way for their expanded application in the pharmaceutical industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Pear residue, a byproduct of pear juice extraction, is rich in soluble sugar, vitamins, minerals, and cellulose. This study utilized Monascus anka in liquid fermentation to extract dietary fiber (DF) from pear residue, and the structural and functional characteristics of the DF were analyzed. Soluble DF (SDF) content was increased from 7.9/100 g to 12.6 g/100 g, with a reduction of average particle size from 532.4 to 383.0 nm by fermenting with M. anka. Scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopic analysis revealed more porous and looser structures in Monascus pear residue DF (MPDF). Water-, oil-holding, and swelling capacities of MPDF were also enhanced. UV-visible spectral analysis showed that the yield of yellow pigment in Monascus pear residue fermentation broth (MPFB) was slightly higher than that in the Monascus blank control fermentation broth. The citrinin content in MPFB and M. anka seed broth was 0.90 and 0.98 ug/mL, respectively. Therefore, liquid fermentation with M. anka improved the structural and functional properties of MPDF, suggesting its potential as a functional ingredient in food., (© 2024 Institute of Food Technologists.)

In recent years, the considerable potential of endophytic bacteria and fungi as prolific producers of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have attracted interest. In this study, 56 endophytes were isolated from Cyclocarya paliurus, and the secondary metabolites of EPSs were extracted from Monascus purpureus, Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus versicolor, screened, and named MPE, PCE and AVE, respectively. In this work, the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of three EPSs, their cell proliferation activity on IEC-6 and RAW264.7 were investigated. The three EPSs were mainly composed of neutral sugar and differ in microstructure. However, MPE had a loose structure, and PCE exhibited a dense and sheet-like structure. In addition, the three EPSs performed ordinary antioxidant activity in vitro but showed excellent cell proliferation activity on IEC-6 and RAW264.7. The cell proliferation activity of PCE was 1.4-fold that of the controls at a concentration of 800 μg/mL on IEC-6, and MPE exhibited 1.3-fold increase on RAW264.7. This study provided scientific evidence and insights into the application of endophytes as a novel plant resource possessing huge application potential., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

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., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Monascus is a filamentous fungus that has been used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. When used as an auxiliary fermenting agent in the manufacturing of cheese, Monascus cheese is obtained. Citrinin (CIT) is a well-known hepatorenal toxin produced by Monascus that can harm the kidneys structurally and functionally and is frequently found in foods. However, CIT contamination in Monascus cheese is exacerbated by the metabolic ability of Monascus to product CIT, which is not lost during fermentation, and by the threat of contamination by Penicillium spp. that may be introduced during production and processing. Considering the safety of consumption and subsequent industrial development, the CIT contamination of Monascus cheese products needs to be addressed. This review aimed to examine its occurrence in Monascus cheese, risk implications, traditional control strategies, and new research advances in prevention and control to guide the application of biotechnology in the control of CIT contamination, providing more possibilities for the application of Monascus in the cheese industry.

Monascus fermented rice, also known as red yeast rice, exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities due to its chemical constituents, such as monacolins and azaphilone pigments. Here, we cultured Monascus kaoliang KB9 in a liquid malt medium instead of on rice as a carbon source. Eleven known compounds ( 1 - 11 ) containing azaphilones and their early intermediate were isolated and identified. However, this was the first time that angular tricyclic azaphilones, monasfluols A ( 4 ) and B ( 7 ), acetyl-monasfluol A ( 5 ) and monasfluore A ( 6 ), were isolated from this species. Interestingly, all isolated tricyclic azaphilones existed exclusively in enol form in CD 3 OD, as evidenced by NMR spectroscopy. The absolute configuration of compounds 4 - 7 was also first experimentally identified based on ECD spectroscopy combined with conformational analyses using computational techniques. The assigned stereochemistry of Monascus azaphilones in this work provides essential structural information that will benefit future biological and pharmaceutical investigations.

The natural pigment of monascus is favored by human for its special coloring and physiological activity, and its development and application have attracted much attention. In this study, a novel corn oil-based nanoemulsion encapsulated with Yellow Monascus Pigment crude extract (CO-YMPN) was successfully prepared via the phase inversion composition method. The fabrication and stable conditions of the CO-YMPN including Yellow Monascus pigment crude extract (YMPCE) concentration, emulsifier ratio, pH, temperature, ionic strength, monochromatic light and storage time were investigated systemically. The optimized fabrication conditions were the emulsifier ratio (5:3 ratio of Tween 60 to Tween 80) and the YMPCE concentration (20.00% wt%)). Additionally, the DPPH radical scavenging capability of the CO-YMPN (19.47 ± 0.52%) was more excellent than each YMPCE or corn oil. Moreover, the kinetic analysis results based on Michaelis-Menten equation and constant revealed that CO-YMPN could improve lipase hydrolysis capacity. Therefore, the CO-YMPN complex had excellent storage stability and water solubility in the final water system, and the YMPCE showed brilliant stability., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Two orange pigments, rubropunctatin ( 1 ) and monascorubrin ( 2 ), along with the yellow pigments, monascin ( 3 ) and ankaflavin ( 4 ), were isolated from M. kaoliang KB9-fermented rice, also known as red yeast rice. The orange pigments exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities and appeared to be the major components of this fermented rice. In this work, quantitative 1 H NMR (qHNMR) and 13 C NMR experiments were used to determine the amounts of the two orange pigments in a crude extract in which most of the 1 H NMR signals of the two compounds were indistinguishable. The quantitative values obtained by NMR techniques were found to be similar to those obtained by HPLC. Thus, the combined qHNMR with 13 C experiment described in this work could be further developed to quantifying Monascus pigments or other invaluable natural products when qHNMR alone is insufficient for quantitative analysis.

Monascus rice (MR) and highland barley monascus (HBM), the monascus fermented products, are applied in food and medicine to reduce cholesterol and promote digestion. Due to the fermentation substrates, their compositions are different. However, the exact differences have not been reported to date. By UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS analysis, multiple components of twenty batches of MR and HBM samples were identified. In total, 100 components were confirmed ( e.g. , monacolins, pigments, decalin derivatives, amino acids). Then, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to filter the components of MR and HBM. In the PCA model, 88.1% of the total variance was uncovered. The OPLS-DA model showed better discrimination between MR and HBM, and the values of R 2 X , R 2 Y , and Q 2 were 0.837, 0.996, and 0.956, respectively. Based on the value of the variable importance in projection (VIP) and the result of the t -test, 424 components (VIP > 1, p < 0.05) were acquired. Finally, 11 differential components were selected as the characteristic compounds to discriminate between MR and HBM: the content of 9 monacolins (3-hydroxy-3,5-dihydrodehydromonacolin K, monacolin K, dehydromonacolin K, dehydromonacolin J hydroxy acid, monacophenyl, dihydromonacolin J hydroxy acid, monacolin L, dehydromonacolin J, and monacolin R) in HBM was higher than the content in MR, but the content of 2 pigments (ankaflavin and monascin) was lower in HBM and higher in MR. The findings revealed the similarities and differences in the chemical composition between MR and HBM, which is expected to provide a basis for quality control of HBM.

A polysaccharide (EMP) was prepared from Monascus purpureus 40,269 through liquid fermentation, and its immunoregulatory effect was investigated to find clues regarding its potential applicability. Structural characterization demonstrated that EMP, with a molecular weight of 83.1 kDa, consists of Xyl, Man, Gal, Ara, Rha, Glc, GalA, and GlcA at a molar ratio of 2.6: 22: 35.1: 7: 1: 29.2: 2.7: 0.6. Immunomodulatory assays involving RAW264.7 cells indicated that EMP exhibits significantly enhanced pinocytic and phagocytic capacities and promotes the secretion of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and cytokines (interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6) by activating RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, EMP is recognized by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and has an immunomodulatory effect by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that EMP could be used as a functional food for immunological reagents., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Monascus pigments are a kind of high-quality natural edible pigments fermented by Monascus filamentous fungi, which have been widely used in food, cosmetics, medicine, textiles, dyes and chemical industries as active functional ingredients. Moreover, Monascus pigments have a good application prospect because of a variety of biological functions such as antibacterial, antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, regulating cholesterol, and anti-cancer. However, the low productivity and color value of pigments restrict their development and application. In this review, we introduced the categories, structures, biosynthesis and functions of Monascus pigments, and summarized the current methods for improving the productivity and color value of pigments, including screening and mutagenesis of strains, optimization of fermentation conditions, immobilized fermentation, mixed fermentation, additives, gene knockout and overexpression technologies, which will help to develop the foundation for the industrial production of Monascus pigments.

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., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Azaphilones are a family of polyketide-based fungal natural products that exhibit interesting and useful bioactivities. This minireview explores the literature on various characterised azaphilone biosynthetic pathways, which allows for a proposed consensus scheme for the production of the core azaphilone structure, as well as identifying early diversification steps during azaphilone biosynthesis. A consensus understanding of the core enzymatic steps towards a particular family of fungal natural products can aid in genome-mining experiments. Genome mining for novel fungal natural products is a powerful technique for both exploring chemical space and providing new insights into fungal natural product pathways., (© 2021 The Authors. ChemBioChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Alcohol metabolism causes an excessive accumulation of liver lipids and inflammation, resulting in liver damage. The yellow pigments monascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK) of Monascus purpureus -fermented rice were proven to regulate ethanol-induced damage in HepG2 cells, but the complete anti-inflammatory and anti-fatty liver mechanisms in the animal model are still unclear. This study explored the roles of MS and AK in improving alcoholic liver injury. MS and AK were simultaneously fed to evaluate their effects and mechanisms in C57BL/6J mice fed the Lieber-DeCarli liquid alcohol diet for 6 weeks. The results indicated that MS and AK significantly reduced the serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity, as well as the total liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The histopathological results indicated that MS and AK prevented lipid accumulation in the liver. MS and AK effectively enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the degree of lipid peroxidation; AK was particularly effective and exhibited a superior preventive effect against alcoholic liver injury and fatty liver. In addition to inhibiting the phosphorylation of the MAPK family, MS and AK directly reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β levels, thereby reducing NF-κB and its downstream iNOS and COX-2 expressions, as well as increasing PPAR-γ, Nrf-2, and HO-1 expressions to prevent liver damage. MS and AK also directly reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expression, thereby reducing the production of NF-κB and its downstream iNOS and COX-2, and increasing PPAR-γ, Nrf-2, and HO-1 expressions, preventing alcohol damage to the liver.

The mold Monascus has been used as a natural food coloring agent and food additive for more than 1000 years in Asian countries. In Chinese herbology, it was also used for easing digestion and antiseptic effects. Through a thorough investigation of a citrinin-free strain: M. purpureus BCRC 38110, four azaphilones, three benzenoids, one benzofuranone, one 5',6'-dihydrospiro[isochromane-1,2'-pyran]-4'(3' H )-one derivative, two steroids, and six tetralones have been successfully identified. Among them, monapyridine A (1), monatetralones A-E (2-6), and monabenzofuranone (7) were first reported. Their structures were characterized by 1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, and HRESIMS analyses. With a series of bioactivity screening, monascuspirolide B (14) and ergosterol peroxide (16) exhibited concentration-dependent attenuation of the paclitaxel-induced neurite damage of mouse dorsal root ganglion neurons. The interleukin (IL)-1β-induced release of inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in human chondrosarcoma cells was inhibited by monapurpureusone (8) and monascuspirolide B (14). Altogether, M. purpureus BCRC 38110 possessed potentials as natural therapeutics against inflammatory osteoarthritis and paclitaxel-induced neurotoxicity.

Background: Monascus fermentation byproduct (MFB) is a biowaste generated after food colorants are extracted. Using MFB to produce probiotics (Bacillus subtilis) is a sustainable way for the entire production to be used as food or animal feed additives. However, due to the rigidity of the Monascus mycelium cell wall, B. subtilis cannot sufficiently utilize the nutrients in MFB, leading to low biomass production efficiency. We studied the effects of ultrasonic treatment, papain, β-glucanase, and chitosanase, and their combinations on improving the levels of soluble components from MFB. The effects of these treatments on mycelium cell walls were visualized using scanning electron microscopy, and their influence on B. subtilis production was analyzed., Results: Ultrasonic treatment increased the soluble components by 210 g kg -1 , including 50 g kg -1 protein and 120 g kg -1 carbohydrates. An enzyme mixture increased the soluble components by 160 g kg -1 , including 30 g kg -1 protein and 90 g kg -1 carbohydrates. The combination of the two methods achieved the highest increase of soluble components (up to 400 g kg -1 ) leading to a maximum B. subtilis production of 1 × 10 11 colony-forming unit mL -1 . This yield was about 20 times greater than that using untreated MFB and about eight times greater than treatments using only ultrasonic or enzymatic methods., Conclusion: The productivity of B. subtilis production using MFB as the sole medium can be greatly improved by ultrasound or enzymes, which cause the release of intercellular components or cell wall components. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Alkaline extracted endopolysaccharides (MPS) from Monascus purpureus (Hong Qu) mycelium were successfully separated into four sub-fractions, namely MPS-1 (18.0 %), MPS-2 (27.1 %), MPS-3 (12.6 %) and MPS-4 (14.7 %), by DEAE-Cellulose column chromatography. By combining monosaccharide composition analysis, methylation analysis and 1D & 2D NMR, the structure of sub-fractions was systematically characterized. Both MPS-1 and MPS-2 were comprised of mannose, glucose and galactose in the molar ratio of 1.5:1.6:1.0 and 10.6:1.0:13.8, respectively. The backbone of them both consisted of 2-α-Manp with several different branched chains. However, MPS-1 contained glucose based sugar residues such as 3-Glcp and 4-Glcp which were not shown on MPS-2. The proposed structures of MPS-3 and MPS-4 were not obtained due to the fairly complex molecular structure and relatively low yield. Moreover, based on the RAW 264.7 cells model, MPS-2 could significantly promote cytokines secretion including IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 and improve expression levels of the related mRNA., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Monascus, which is traditionally used in various Asian industries, produces several secondary metabolites during the fermentation process, including citrinin, a toxin whose impact limits the development of the Monascus industry. We have previously found that the addition of 2.0 g/L genistein to Monascus medium reduces citrinin production by approximately 80%. Here, we explored the molecular mechanisms whereby genistein affects citrinin production. We sequenced the Monascus genome and performed transcriptome analysis on genistein-treated and -untreated groups. Comparison between the two groups showed 378 downregulated and 564 upregulated genes. Among the latter, we further examined the genes related to citrinin biosynthesis and quantified them using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Genes orf5, pksCT, orf3, orf1, orf6, and ctnE were significantly downregulated, demonstrating that genistein addition indeed affects citrinin synthesis. Our results may lay the groundwork for substantial improvements in the Monascus fermentation industry., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Five new decalins, monalbidins A-E (1, 2 and 7-9), together with 16 known compounds (3-6 and 10-21), were isolated from the AcOEt extract of marine derived fungus Monascus albidus BB3 cultured in GPY medium. Among the known compounds, 1-hydroxymonacolin L (11), dehydromonacolin J (15), 8-O-acetylmonacolin J (19) and O-acetylmonacolin K (21) were separated from natural sources for the first time. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analysis on the 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, UV and IR data, and their absolute configurations were assigned by experimental and calculated ECD data, and X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. Monalbidins C and D (7 and 8), monacolin K methyl ester (13), dehydromonacolin L (14), dehydromonacolin K (16), monacolin K (20) and O-acetylmonacolin K (21) showed moderate cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines SUNE1, HepG2, QGY7701, HCT116 and MDA-MB-231., (© 2021 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The aim of the present study was to develop soy protein isolate (SPI) and κ-carrageenan (KC) composite hydrogels as a delivery system for hydrophilic compounds. The pigment of monascus yellow was used as a model. A systematic study was performed to characterize the rheological, textural, microstructural properties and in vitro digestion release profile of monascus yellow of the composite gels. The results of power law modeling, electrophoresis patterns and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed that non-covalent interactions were involved in the formation of SPI/KC composite hydrogels. Compared to pure κ-carrageenan hydrogels, the incorporation of SPI could promote the formation of tougher, more uniform and compact composite gels with sustained-release property. In addition, the release behaviors of monascus yellow entrapped in the hydrogel network can be well described by the Ritger-Peppas mathematical model. Overall, our study provided a promising strategy to enhance the sustained release performance of hydrogels in digestive conditions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Monascus vinegar (MV), during whose brewing process Monascus spp. and polished rice (PR) are normally used as the starter and the raw material, respectively, is one of the traditional vinegars in China. In this study, the effects of three raw materials, including PR, unhusked rice (UR), and germinated UR (GR), on MV volatile compounds have been investigated. The results revealed that MV of GR (GMV), and its intermediate Monascus wine (GMW), exhibited the highest amount of aroma, not only in the concentrations but also in the varieties of the aromatic compounds mainly contributing to the final fragrance. Especially after three years of aging, the contents of benzaldehyde and furfural in GMV could reach to 13.93% and 0.57%, respectively, both of which can coordinate synergistically on enhancing the aroma. We also found that the filtering efficiency was significantly improved when UR and GR were applied as the raw materials, respectively. Therefore, GR might be more suitable raw materials for MV.

A high-throughput screening assay was developed and applied to a large library of natural product extract samples, in order to identify compounds which preferentially inhibited the in vitro 2D growth of a highly metastatic osteosarcoma cell line (MG63.3) compared to a cognate parental cell line (MG63) with low metastatic potential. Evaluation of differentially active natural product extracts with bioassay-guided fractionation led to the identification of lovastatin (IC 50  = 11 µm) and the limonoid toosendanin (IC 50  = 26 nm). Other statins and limonoids were then tested, and cerivastatin was identified as a particularly potent (IC 50  < 0.1 µm) and selective agent. These compounds potently and selectively induced apoptosis in MG63.3 cells, but not MG63. Assays with other cell pairs were used to examine the generality of these results. Statins and limonoids may represent unexplored opportunities for development of modulators of osteosarcoma metastasis. As cerivastatin was previously approved for clinical use, it could be considered for repurposing in osteosarcoma, pending validation in further models., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Unbalanced lipid peroxidation damages the human body, and is associated with the formation of tumors, infections, inflammations, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, food and drugs that contain anti-lipid peroxidation active substances, can help to protect against these negative health impacts. We observed lipid peroxidation inhibition in the metabolites of fermented Monascus anka, in media with Dendrobium nobile Lindl. The anti-lipid peroxidation ability of the extracts was strongest in ethyl acetate, so this was selected for further purifications. A crystal with strong antioxidant properties was obtained by column chromatography. Based on its spectroscopic analysis by Electron Bombardment Ion Source and Mass Spectrometry (EI-MS), 1 H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ( 1 H-NMR), and 13 C-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ( 13 C-NMR), the isolated crystal was identified as ergosterol. The inhibition rates of the lipid peroxide due to the ergosterol were 57.42%, at 2μg/mL in vitro. Simultaneously, the survival rates of the damaged cells treated with 0.3mmol/L H 2 O 2 were significantly improved with the ergosterol, up to 43.88% (200μg/mL) and 46.64% (400μg/mL), compared to 36.47% for the injured cells. The survival rate of the cells was 78.32% (400μg/mL), with ergosterol as a prevention. Cell injury can increase the level of intracellular ROS, but its levels in the damaged cells were reduced after the ergosterol treatments, and the reduction increased with the increasing concentrations. A 400μg/mL concentration resulted in the lowest fluorescence intensity; 33421.11 AU below the normal level. Ergosterol significantly reduced the ROS levels, to reduce the cell damage. Ergosterol from Monascus anka was thus found to have strong anti-lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capabilities, and the ability to protect and repair damaged cells. It may consequently serve as a potential natural antioxidant and will play an important role in human anti-lipid peroxide., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Food authenticity in the field of food dyes can be interpreted as the correctness of the coloring ingredients indicated. The Rapid UV/vis Spectroscopic Dye Authentication Assay (RaSDAY) presented in this work was used to verify the authenticity of water-soluble reddish colorings for food use. RaSDAY includes the processing of samples under different experimental conditions with pH variations and heat exposure. The absorbances measured are analyzed by principal component analysis and a k -nearest neighbors algorithm. As a result, classification of anthocyanins, betalains, and carmine and the detection of Monascus pigments, undeclared artificial food dyes, and reactive textile azo dyes can be performed by utilizing a rapid screening method. In 17 out of 20 samples of coloring food additives that were included in this work, reactive dyes, unpermitted Monascus pigments, and artificial food dyes were detected using the developed method. "Reactive Red 120", "Reactive Red 195", and "Reactive Red 198" were identified by subsequent 1 H NMR spectroscopy in eight of those samples.

Background: Nonionic surfactant Brij 35 in submerged fermentation of Monascus can significantly increase Monascus pigment yield. Here, the effects of nonionic surfactant Brij 35 on Monascus pigment secretion in extractive fermentation are discussed in terms of cell morphology, cloud point change, and pigment stability., Results: At Brij 35 concentrations up to 32 g L -1 , the higher concentrations led to the loosening of the network structure on the surface of the fungal wall, enhanced cell wall permeability, and increased abundance of lipid droplets. Alternatively, when the concentration of Brij 35 exceeded 32 g L -1 , a large amount of substances accumulated on the surface of the fungal wall, permeability reduced, and the degree of oil droplet dispersion in cells decreased. Further, during extractive fermentation, Brij 35 induced formation of a grid structure on the fungal wall surface beginning on day 2, increased the number of intracellular lipid droplets, and promoted intracellular pigment secretion into the extracellular environment. When the cloud point temperature in the fermentation system approached that of fermentation, the nonionic surfactant exhibited stronger Monascus pigment extraction capacity, thereby enhancing pigment yield. Hence, Brij 35 can improve pigment stability and effectively reduce damage caused by natural factors, such as light and temperature., Conclusion: Brij 35 promotes the secretion of pigment by changing the fungal wall structure and cloud point, as well as by improving pigment stability. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Noninvasive, safe and cost-effective cell viability assay is important in many fields of biological research such as cell culture and counting. We examined ten typical natural pigments extracted from food to find that Monascus pigment (MP) or anthocyanin pigment (AP: purple sweet potato and purple cabbage) with Tris (Trimethylolaminomethane) works as a good indicator of viability assay for dye exclusion test (DET) of Paramecium. This was confirmed spectrally by scan-free, non-invasive absorbance spectral imaging A (x, y, λ) microscopy. We developed a new method of cell capture using a metal mesh to confine live Paramecium in a restricted space. This has the advantage that a low-cost and robust capture can be fabricated without using special equipment, compared to a conventional lab-on-a-chip. As a result, MP and AP stained dead cells as quick as methylene blue (MB), a synthetic dye conventionally used in DET within 1 min when treated with microwave and benzalkonium chloride. The natural pigments with Tris had little effect on inhibiting the growth of Paramecium, but MB killed all the cells within 1 h. MP is most useful because it allows non-invasive DET without Tris. This approach provides less invasive and safe DET.

To achieve the accumulation of targeted secondary metabolites, microorganisms must adopt various protection mechanisms to avoid or reduce damage to cells caused by abiotic stresses, which formed from the changes of physical and chemical culture conditions. The protection mechanism of Monascus sp. to tolerate high-concentration ammonium chloride was analyzed by sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra-mass spectrometry proteomics in this work, and the results indicated that abiotic stresses caused by high-concentration ammonium chloride inhibited the synthesis of chitin and glycoprotein, leading to a decrease in cell wall integrity and, thus, affecting cell growth. At the same time, it also inhibited the complex enzyme III and IV activities of the mitochondrial cytochrome respiratory chain, leading to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. With the aim to respond to abiotic stresses, the cross-protection mechanism was implemented in Monascus , including self-protection of the Monascus cell by promoting synthesis of trehalose, a molecular chaperone that facilitates protein folding (such as heat-shock protein) and autophagy-related proteins, through not the enzyme protection system (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, NADPH oxidase, and alternative oxidase) but the glutathione/glutaredoxin system, to maintain the intracellular redox state and then eliminate or reduce ROS damage to the cell. At the same time, an alternative respiratory pathway related to NADH dehydrogenase was activated to balance the material and energy metabolism.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were successfully synthesized using the culture extract of Monascus purpureus ATCC16436 grown on sugarcane bagasse under solid-state fermentation. The rapid synthesis of SeNPs was completed after 30 min as confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Functional groups present in the synthesized SeNPs samples were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized SeNPs showed a single-phase crystalline structure. Transmission electron microscope revealed the spherical shape and the mean particle size was 46.58 nm. Dynamic light scattering analysis showed that the synthesized SeNPs were monodispersed and the recorded polydispersity index value was 0.205. Zeta potential value of - 24.01 mV indicated the high stability of SeNPs. Besides, the biological activities of antioxidant, anticancer and antimicrobial as well as the photocatalytic activities were also studied. SeNPs showed promising antioxidant activity with 50% inhibitory concentration of 85.92 µg mL -1 . Based on the MTT assay, SeNPs inhibited the proliferation of normal human melanocytes, human breast and liver cancer cell lines with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 45.21, 61.86 and 200.15 µg mL -1 , respectively. SeNPs showed broad spectrum of antimicrobial potential against the tested human and plant pathogens. SeNPs showed efficient degradation of methylene blue dye. Moreover, the effect of gamma irradiation on the production enhancement of SeNPs was also adopted. Exposure of the fungal spores to gamma rays at 1000 Gy increased the yield of SeNPs to approximately fivefold. Hence, this study suggests a new and alternate approach with the excellent biotechnological potentiality for the production of SeNPs.

The emerging properties of mimicking enzymes open up new horizons for nanomaterials. Regulating their enzyme-like activity and exploiting their applications are currently the hot topics for nanozymes. Among their activities, the pro-oxidant and antioxidant capabilities of nanozymes are important to determine their unique physiological functions. In this paper, we demonstrate that PtRu NPs exhibit multiple enzyme-like activities (e.g. peroxidase, oxidase, ferroxidase, catalase and SOD) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The PtRu bimetallic nanozymes therefore show pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant functions. It was found that the enzyme-like activities of PtRu NPs are highly dependent on the Pt/Ru molar ratio and show a similar trend in the order of activity: Pt 90 Ru 10 > Pt 75 Ru 25 > Pt > Pt 40 Ru 60 , indicating that proper alloying of Pt with Ru can enhance both pro- and anti-oxidant capabilities. By employing the ferroxidase-like activity and catalase-like activity, we verified the applications of PtRu nanozymes in the detection of Fe 2+ ions, and tried for the first time to protect Monascus pigments (MPs) from hydrogen peroxide oxidation. These results not only provide an effective way to optimize the pro- and anti-oxidant capabilities of nanozymes, but also provide prospects for the applications of nanozymes in protecting biologically active natural products.

Using a cell-based cytotoxicity assay, two new polyhydroxylated sterols, 16(S),22(S)-epoxy-3β,5α,6β,20(R),23(R),25-hexahydroxy-7-ergostene and 3β,7β,8α,25-tetrahydroxy-5,22E-ergostadiene were isolated from the ethyl acetate portion of the ethanolic extract of Monascus purpureus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and in comparison with those reported in the literature. Both compounds showed cytotoxic activity against the lung adenocarcinoma (A549) with IC 50 values of 12.6 and 18.5 μM, exhibited moderate activities against human ovarian cancer (A2780), with IC 50 values of 8.8 and 9.4 μM., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Various Monascus bioactive metabolites used as food or food additives in Asia for centuries are subjected to constant physical and chemical changes and different Monascus genus. With the aim to identify enzymes that participate in or indirectly regulate the pigments and citrinin biosynthesis pathways of Monascus purpureus cultured under high ammonium chloride, the changes of the proteome profile were examined using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra-mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics approach in combination with bioinformatics analysis . A total of 292 proteins were confidently detected and quantified in each sample, including 163 that increased and 129 that decreased ( t -tests, p ≤ 0.05). Pathway analysis indicated that high ammonium chloride in the present study accelerates the carbon substrate utilization and promotes the activity of key enzymes in glycolysis and β-oxidation of fatty acid catabolism to generate sufficient acetyl-CoA. However, the synthesis of the monascus pigments and citrinin was not enhanced because of inhibition of the polyketide synthase activity. All results demonstrated that the cause of initiation of pigments and citrinin synthesis is mainly due to the apparent inhibition of acyl and acetyl transfer by some acyltransferase and acetyltransferase, likely malony-CoA:ACP transacylase.

Background: Colorant-producing microorganisms are quite common in nature. These biomolecules present many biological activities such as antitumoral, antimicrobial and antioxidant, in addition to the various nuances of color, making them of special technological importance to the industrial sectors., Objective: This study aims to conduct a technological mapping in the patent, at European patent Office (EPO), in order to evaluate the global panorama of the use of microbial colorants., Methods: The experimental design was acquired by the keyword-driven approach through the advanced search in the Espacenet database European Patent Office (EPO). The keywords selected were bacteria or fungi* or yeast or algae or microorganism* but not plant* and pigment* or color* or colorant* or dye* and the International Patent Classification code, C09B61, for prospecting of interest., Results: There has been a linear increase in patents developed in the last 20 years, with Japan as the largest depositor in the area. The companies Dainippon Ink and Chemicals and Ajinomoto, both being Japanese, are the largest depositors with 20% of all patents. Among the microorganisms, the filamentous fungi appeared in the first place with 32% of documents and the fungi of the genus Monascus were the most frequently used., Conclusion: The use of microbial colorants has been growing among industries, mainly in food sectors, due to the growing demand for products of natural origin. Thus, the increase in research and technological development in the area of microbial colorants can become an economically viable and promising strategy for the various industrial sectors., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Phytochemical investigation of the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the ethanolic extract of a yellow mutant of the fungus Monascus purpureus BCRC 38110 (Eurotiaceae) grown on rice resulted in the isolation of one new azaphilone derivative, monapurpureusone ( 1 ), one acetophenone metabolite isolated for the first time from natural source, monapurpureusin ( 2 ), along with four known compounds, TW94a ( 3 ), ergosterol ( 4 ), monascin ( 5 ), and ankaflavin ( 6 ). The structures and relative configurations of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, and by the comparison of their NMR data with those of related compounds. Some phytochemicals were evaluated for both anti-inflammatory activity through the measurement of nitric oxide (NO) production levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine-derived macrophages RAW264.7 cell lines and antioxidant activities.

Monascus vinegar is one of the most famous and popular Chinese vinegars. The present study identified 60 volatile compounds, 23 amino acids, and seven organic acids during the traditional brewing of Monascus vinegar. Acetic acid, alanine, alcohols, esters, lactic acid, and valine were the predominant metabolic compounds found during the fermentation process. Komagataeibacter medellinensis, Lactobacillus acetotolerans, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Sterigmatomyces halophilus, and Yarrowia lipolytica were the dominant microorganisms during the traditional brewing of Monascus vinegar. Furthermore, based on Spearman's correlation analysis, K. medellinensis showed a positive correlation with acetic acid, acetoin, benzaldehyde, phenethyl acetate, 4-ethylphenol, proline, threonine, and isoleucine. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was positively associated with the production of acetoin, benzeneacetaldehyde, 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, proline, threonine, and isoleucine. Bacillus velezensis and Yarrowia lipolytica were positively correlated with esters and alcohols, implying that these microorganisms might make a significant contribution to the flavor of vinegar. These findings demonstrated that some microorganisms may play important roles in improving the aromatic quality of Monascus vinegar., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A fluorescent immunochromatographic test strip (FICTS) based on the use of europium nanoparticles (EuNPs) was developed and applied to detect citrinin (CIT) in Monascus fermented food. The sensitivity of the immunoassay to detect CIT was greatly improved by the use of a specific monoclonal antibody to attach EuNPs to form a probe. Under optimum conditions, the visual detection limit was 2.5 ng/mL, and the detection limit of the instrument was 0.05 ng/mL. According to the results, the IC 50 was 0.4 ng/mL. Matrix interference from various Monascus fermented foods was investigated in food sample detection. The immunosensor also demonstrated high recoveries (86.8-113.0%) and low relative standard deviations (RSDs) (1.8-15.3%) when testing spiked Monascus fermented food. The detection results of this method showed a good correlation ( R 2 > 0.98) with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the FICTS method could be used as a rapid, sensitive method to detect CIT in Monascus fermented food.

Citrinin (CIT) is a mycotoxin that has been detected in agricultural products, feedstuff, and Monascus products. At present, research has been performed to develop methods for CIT detection, mainly through TLC, HPLC, biosensor, and immunoassay. The immunoassay method is popular with researchers because of its speed, economy, simplicity, and ease of control. However, mycotoxins are inevitably introduced during the determination. Immunoassays require the use of toxins coupled to carrier proteins or enzymes to make competitive antigens. In this study, anti-idiotypic nanobody X27 as CIT mimetic antigen was used as non-toxic surrogate reagents in immunoassay. Therefore, the X27-based real-time immuno-PCR (rtIPCR) method had been established after optimal experiments of annealing temperature and amplification efficiency of real-time PCR, concentration of coating antibody, phage X27, and methyl alcohol. The IC 50 value of the established method in the present study is 9.86 ± 2.52 ng/mL, which is nearly equivalent to the traditional phage ELISA method. However, the linear range is of 0.1-1000 ng/mL, which has been broadened 10-fold compared to the phage ELISA method. Besides, the X27-based rtIPCR method has no cross-reactivity to the common mycotoxins, like aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ), deoxynivalenol (DON), ochratoxin A (OTA), and zearalenone (ZEN). The method has also been applied to the determination of CIT in rice flour and flour samples, and the recovery was found to be in the range of 90.0-104.6% and 75.8-110.0% respectively. There was no significant difference in the results between the rtIPCR and UPLC-MS. The anti-idiotypic nanobody as a non-toxic surrogate of CIT makes rtIPCR a promising method for actual CIT analysis in Monascus products., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.