Effect of Exogenous and Endogenous Ectoine on <i>Monascus</i> Development, Metabolism, and Pigment Stability
Pengfei Gong,
Ruoyu Shi,
Jiali Tang,
Jiaying Wang,
Qiaoqiao Luo,
Jia’ao Zhang,
Xiaochun Ruan,
Chengtao Wang,
Wei Chen
Affiliations
Pengfei Gong
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Ruoyu Shi
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Jiali Tang
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Jiaying Wang
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Qiaoqiao Luo
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Jia’ao Zhang
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Xiaochun Ruan
Yanjin Biotechnology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing 102300, China
Chengtao Wang
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Wei Chen
Key Laboratory of Geriatric Nutrition and Health, Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center of Food Additives, School of Food and Health, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
Monascus, a key player in fermented food production, is known for generating Monascus pigments (MPs) and monacolin K (MK), possessing bioactive properties. However, the limited stability of MPs and mycotoxin citrinin (CTN) constrain the Monascus industry. Extremolytes like ectoine, derived from bacteria, exhibit cytoprotective potential. Here, we investigated the impact of ectoine on Monascus purpureus ATCC 16365, emphasizing development and secondary metabolism. Exogenous 5 mM ectoine supplementation substantially increased the yields of MPs and MK (105%–150%) and reduced CTN production. Ectoine influenced mycelial growth, spore development, and gene expression in Monascus. Remarkably, ectoine biosynthesis was achieved in Monascus, showing comparable effects to exogenous addition. Notably, endogenous ectoine effectively enhanced the stability of MPs under diverse stress conditions. Our findings propose an innovative strategy for augmenting the production and stability of bioactive compounds while reducing CTN levels, advancing the Monascus industry.
