• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2019

Di- and tri-methylation of lysine 4 on histone H3 (H3K4me2 and H3K4me3, respectively) are epigenetic markers of active genes. Complex associated with Set1 (COMPASS) mediates these H3K4 methylations. The involvement of COMPASS activity in secondary metabolite (SM) biosynthesis was first demonstrated with an Aspergillus nidulans cclA knockout mutant. The cclA knockout induced the transcription of two cryptic SM biosynthetic gene clusters, leading to the production of the cognate SM. Monascus spp. are filamentous fungi that have been used for food fermentation in eastern Asia, and the pigment Monascus azaphione (MAz) is their main SM. Monascus highly produces MAz, implying that the cognate biosynthetic genes are highly active in transcription. In the present study, we examined how COMPASS activity modulates MAz biosynthesis by inactivating Monascus purpureus cclA (Mp-cclA) and swd1 (Mp-swd1). For both ${\Delta}Mp-cclA$ and ${\Delta}Mp-swd1$, a reduction in MAz production, accompanied by an abated cell growth, was observed. Suppression of MAz production was more effective in an agar culture than in the submerged liquid culture. The fidelity of the ${\Delta}Mp-swd1$ phenotypes was verified by restoring the WT-like phenotypes in a reversion recombinant mutant, namely, trpCp: Mp-swd1, that was generated from the ${\Delta}Mp-swd1$ mutant. Real-time quantitative Polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the transcription of MAz biosynthetic genes was repressed in the ${\Delta}Mp-swd1$ mutant. This study demonstrated that MAz biosynthesis is under the control of COMPASS activity and that the extent of this regulation is dependent on growth conditions.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.151-157
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• 2011

This study was to examine the quality characteristics and biological activities of the yogurt containing dual fermentation MFCY (Monascus-Fermented Chinese Yam) powder. Six different contents (0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%, w/v) of MFCY powder were added to raw milk and 5% skim milk followed by fermentation with lactic acid bacteria at $37^{\circ}C$ for 12 h, and then the biological activities of the samples were investigated. Biological activities of the prepared yogurt were evaluated for acid production (pH, titratable acidity), number of viable cells, total polyphenol contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory effects and GABA contents. In this study, the results show that after fermentation in raw milk and 5% skim milk added with MFCY powder. The yogurt can produced pH, titratable acidity, number of viable cells, total polyphenol contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power at 4.12-4.25 (pH), 0.94-0.97% (TA), $7.50{\times}10^9-1.14{\times}10^{10}$ CFU/ml, 161.4-329.9 (TP, mg/L), 54-94% (DPPH), and 1.13-1.53 (R.P), respectively. In addition, the showed ACE inhibitory activity and GABA contents was 67.1-87.7% and 304.6-685.4 (mg/L).

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.333-333
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• 2005

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.364-374
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• 2013

Monacolin K and yellow pigment, produced by Monascus sp., have each been proven to be beneficial compounds as antihypercholesterolemic and anti-inflammation agents, respectively. However, citrinin, a human toxic substance, was also synthesized in this fungus. In this research, solidstate fermentation of M. purpureus TISTR 3541 was optimized by statistical methodology to obtain a high production of monacolin K and yellow pigment along with a low level of citrinin. Fractional factorial design was applied in this study to identify the significant factors. Among the 13 variables, five parameters (i.e., glycerol, methionine, sodium nitrate, cultivation time, and temperature) influencing monacolin K, yellow pigment, and citrinin production were identified. A central composite design was further employed to investigate the optimum level of these five factors. The maximum production of monacolin K and yellow pigment of 5,900 mg/kg and 1,700 units/g, respectively, and the minimum citrinin concentration of 0.26 mg/kg were achieved in the medium containing 2% glycerol, 0.14% methionine, and 0.01% sodium nitrate at $25^{\circ}C$ for 16 days of cultivation. The yields of monacolin K and yellow pigment were about 3 and 1.5 times higher than the basal medium, respectively, whereas citrinin was dramatically reduced by 36 times.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.341-346
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• 2001

For the purpose of mass producing Monascus red pigments optimum medium composition and environmental conditions were investigated in submerged flask cultures. The optimum carbon and nitrogen sources were determined to be 30g/L of glucose and 1.5 g/L of monosodium glutamate (MSG). Of the three metals examined, Fe$\^$2+/ showed the strongest stimulatory effect on pigment production and some stimulatory effect was also found in Mn$\^$2+/. Optimum pH and agitation speed were determined to be 6.5 and 700 rpm, respectively. Under the optimum culture conditions batch fermentation showed that the maximum biomass yield and specific productivity of red pigments were 0.20 g DCW/g glucose and, 32.5 OD$\sub$500/g DCW$\^$-1/h$\^$-1/, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.200-205
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• 2016

The aim of this work was to select suitable fermentation treatments for the efficient bioconversion of cactus (Opuntia humifusa Raf.) bioactive components with an improved radical scavenging activity for use as a nutraceutical. To obtain microorganisms for the microbial conversion of cactus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides ATCC8294, Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC 3099, Lactobacillus plantarum KERI 236 and Monascus pilosus KCCM 60029 (ATCC 22080) were used for fermentation. Fermentation by Lac. plantarum KCTC 3099 was the most effective at scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals and reducing iron (III). In particular, uronic acid levels showed a remarkable increase in fermentation. The polyphenol and quercetin content of the fermented cactus showed large increases from $108.65{\mu}g/mL$ and $2.71{\mu}g/mL$ to $227.83{\mu}g/mL$ and $9.73{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, showing a maximum level at 36 h of fermentation with Lac. plantarum KCTC 3099. Thus, cactus fermentation with Lac. plantarum is an useful process for the enhancement of antioxidant contents and activity of fresh cactus.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.288-296
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• 2007

Monascus pilosus (KCCM 60160) in submerged culture was optimized based on culture medium and fermentation conditions. Monacolin-K (Iovastatin), one of the cholesterol lowing-agent which was produced by Monascus pilosus may maintain a healthy lipid level by inhibiting the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Plackett-Burman design and response surface method were employed to study the culture medium for the desirable monacolin-K production. As a result of experimental designs, optimized production medium components and concentrations (g/L) were determined on soluble starch 96, malt extract 44.5, beef extract 30.23, yeast extract 15, $(NH_4)_2SO_4$ 4.03, $Na_2HPO_4{\cdot}12H_2O$ 0.5, L-Histidine 3.0, $KHSO_4$ 1.0, respectively. Monacolin-K production was improved about 3 times in comparison with shake flask fermentation of the basic production medium. The effect of agitation speed (300, 350, 400 and 450 rpm) on the monacolin-K production were also observed in a batch fermenter. Maximum monacolin-K production with the basic production medium was 68 mg/L when agitation speed was 500 rpm. And it was found that all spherical pellets (average diameter of $1.0{\sim}1.5mm$) were dominant during fermentation. Based on the results, the maximum production of 185 mg/L of monacolin-K with the optimized production medium was obtained at pH (controlled) 6.5, agitation rate 400 rpm, aeration rate 1 vvm, and inoculum size 3%.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate antioxidative and physiological activities of two stage fermented Chinese Yam (TSFCY) by Monascus sp. MK2 and Lactobacillus brevis HLJ59. The extracts from TSFCY were measured to examine pigments, monacolin K contents, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, ACE inhibitory activity and GABA contents. In this study, the results show that Monascus sp. MK2 and Lactobacillus brevis HLJ59, with Dioscorea batatas Dence. As the substrate can produce pigments (yellow, orange and red), monacolin K contents, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, ACE inhibitory activity, and GABA contents at 14.03 (yellow), 13.88 (orange), 15.71 (red), 487.9 (MK, mg/kg), 723.8 (TP, mg/kg), 326.4 (TF, mg/kg), 81.7 (DPPH, %), and 1.5 (RP, O.D), respectively. In addition, the showed ACE inhibitory activity and GABA contents was 86.9% and 977.4 mg/kg in EtOH extract, respectively.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.5646-5657
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• 2013

In this study, to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of mulberry leaf tea and its fermented product by Monascus pilosus, we investigated body and organ weight, blood and liver biomarkers in mice fed 1% tea infusions instead of water for 8 weeks. Mice were divided into three groups such as a normal control (NC), unfermented mulberry leaf tea infusion (UMI) and fermented mulberry leaf tea infusion (FMI). Although it is not significant, tea infusion groups showed reduction of body weight gains compared with NC group. Moreover, contents of LDL-cholesterol and lipid peroxide (LPO), altherogenic index, and xanthin oxidase (XO) activity were significantly decreased, and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was significantly elevated. The results from this study suggested that UMI and FMI may have an anti-obesity activity, upregulate antioxidant enzymes and reduce levels of oxidants related to liver damage.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.405-411
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of rice powder m tile enzyme (protease, $\alpha$-amylase, $\beta$-amylase and glucoamylase) activities of soybean meju fermented by Monascus prepureus and Monascus pilosus. The activities of the enzyme in the rice meju and the soybean meju fermented by M. pilosus were higher than those by M. perpureus. Protease activity of powdered rice meju was higher than that of granular rice meju, while $\alpha$-amylase, $\beta$-amylase and glucoamylase activities were higher in granular rice meju. Protease activity in soybean meju fermented by adding of the cultured medium of Monascus strains(CMM) as a seed inocula were higher than those of the rice powder meju, while $\alpha$-amyulase, $\beta$-amylase and glucoamylase activiities were lower than those of soybean meju by CMM. The concentration of rice powder to show maximum protease activity in soybean meju was also 10% against steamed soybean. But $\alpha$-amylase activity of soybean medju by the CMM added 2% powdered rice showed lower but the activity increaed with an increase in powdered rice, whereas $\beta$-amylase and glucoamylase activiities decreased with an increase in powdered rice. Protease activity of soybean meju fermented by 10% rice meju fermented by M. pilo년 as a seed inocula was higher than that of the meju fermented by Aspergillus oryzae, whereas $\beta$-amylase and glucoamylase activities of the soybean meju showed less than 50%.