Monascus purpureus
Encyclopedia
Monascus purpureus is a species of mold
that is purplish-red in color. It is also known by the names ang-khak rice mold, corn silage mold, maize silage mold, and rice kernel discoloration.
This fungus is most important because of its use, in the form of red yeast rice, in the production of certain fermented foods in China
. However, discoveries of cholesterol-lowering statin
s produced by the mold has prompted research into its possible medical uses. It produces a number of statins. The naturally occurring lovastatins and analogs are called monacolins K, L, J, and also occur in their hydroxyl acid forms along with dehydroxymonacolin and compactin (mevastatin
). The prescription drug lovastatin
, identical to monacolin K, is the principal statin produced by Monascus purpureus. Only the open-ring (hyroxyl acid) form is pharmacologically active.
The related fungi Monascus ruber and Monascus pilosus are also used in industrial applications.
Mold
Molds are fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. Molds are not considered to be microbes but microscopic fungi that grow as single cells called yeasts...
that is purplish-red in color. It is also known by the names ang-khak rice mold, corn silage mold, maize silage mold, and rice kernel discoloration.
This fungus is most important because of its use, in the form of red yeast rice, in the production of certain fermented foods in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. However, discoveries of cholesterol-lowering statin
Statin
Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Increased cholesterol levels have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, and statins are therefore used in the...
s produced by the mold has prompted research into its possible medical uses. It produces a number of statins. The naturally occurring lovastatins and analogs are called monacolins K, L, J, and also occur in their hydroxyl acid forms along with dehydroxymonacolin and compactin (mevastatin
Mevastatin
Mevastatin, compactin, ML-236B is a hypolipidemic agent that belongs to the statins class.It was isolated from the mold Penicillium citrinum by Akira Endo in the 1970s and he identified it as a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, i.e.; a statin...
). The prescription drug lovastatin
Lovastatin
Lovastatin is a member of the drug class of statins, used for lowering cholesterol in those with hypercholesterolemia and so preventing cardiovascular disease...
, identical to monacolin K, is the principal statin produced by Monascus purpureus. Only the open-ring (hyroxyl acid) form is pharmacologically active.
The related fungi Monascus ruber and Monascus pilosus are also used in industrial applications.