Medicinally Important Compounds Production and Strain Improvement in Intergeneric Hybrid Between Monascus Ruber and Pleurotus Ostreatus

Abstract

Traditionally, the Monascus species are non-pathogenic fungi; pigments produced from Monascus sp. have been used as natural food colorants in fermented foods. Monacolin K, also named lovastatin, is one of the Monascus bioactive metabolites and has been widely used as a potent drug for lowering blood cholesterol. Pleurotus ostreatuscommomly known as oyster mushroom contains high level of dietary fibers and antioxidant including vitamin C, D and B12, folates and polyphenols that may provide beneficial effects on hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia. This study is mainly focused on the medicinally important compounds production through intergenic hybridization between Monascus ruber and Pleurotus ostreatus by protoplast fusion using PEG. The regenerated colonies were screened for the resistant character to the selected fungicides (Nystatin and Fluconozole). Further morphological characteristics and mycelia protein patterns of parental and hybrid strain was examined as well as the proximate value analysis and pigment estimation was also performed. From the results, there was significant increase in the proximate analysis when compared with Monascus ruber, but the fusant showed less nutritional values when again compared to Pleurotus ostreatus. newline