Work

Improvement of Monacolin K and Pigment Production in Monascus by 5-Azacytidine

Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Monascus species are known to produce various secondary metabolites with polyketide structures, including Monacolins, pigments, and citrinin. This study investigates the effects of 5-azacytidine on Monascus M1 and RP2. The dry weight, red, yellow, and orange pigment values, and Monacolin K yield of both Monascus strains were measured, and their hyphae observed through electron microscopy. The experimental group showed higher dry weights and pigment values than the control group for both strains. However, Monacolin K production increased substantially only for Monascus M1. Electron micrographs revealed surface wrinkles and large protrusions in both strains after 5-azacytidine treatment. As a potent DNA methylation-promoting agent, 5-azacytidine is very useful for epigenetic and cancer biology studies and for studying secondary metabolism in fungi.
Language: English
Subfield: Biotechnology
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,955
OpenAlex ID: W4404718547
FWCI: 0.331
Cites: 35
Cited by: 2
Related to: 10