Monascus purpureus Went is a filamentous fungus whose asexual reproduction is carried out by conidia germination and filament formation that constitute a mycelium, which is white initially but then it acquires a color that ranges from pink to orange-red due to the biosynthesis of colored pigments (main pigments: yellow monascin and ankaflavin, orange rubropunctatin and monascorubin, and red rubropunctamine and monascorubramine) originated by the densification of polyketides and fatty acids.
Under some conditions, the growth of this fungus on the rice grain is produced by fermentation, which gives a red coloring to the rice because of the synthesis of red, yellow and orange pigments. At present, red yeast rice is obtained through controlled culture of selected strains of this fungus on rice.
The yeast Monascus purpureus grows on rice. Both the isolated yeast or “red yeast of rice” and the rice with the yeast or “red yeast rice” are commercialized. It is important these products specify their content in monacolin K.
> It is recommended for patients with primary hypercholesterolemia together with the proper dietary treatment.
> Prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
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