Biotech Updates

Successful Transformation of Monascus purpureus Expressed Selectable Gene

October 12, 2007

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 production of certain fermented foods, such as red yeast rice in East Asia,  particularly in China and Japan. Furthermore, recent discoveries of cholesterol-lowering statins produced by the mold has prompted research into its possible medical uses.

A research team from Kasetsart University, Thailand, has investigated the feasibility to develop a transformation system for M. purpureus. Microprojectile bombardment of conidia masses including mycelial fragments with cosmid pMOcosX containing a selectable bacterial reporter gene resulted in the generation of two stable transformants.

The abstract is available at http://safetybio.agri.kps.ku.ac.th/images/stories/pdf/Monascus%20purpureus.pdf