BIOLOGY IN HUMAN WELFARE
MICROBES IN HUMAN WELFARE
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Monascus purpureus
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Trichoderma polysporum
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Either A or B
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -Monascus purpureus is a yeast used commercially in the production of blood cholesterol-lowering statins.
Detailed explanation-2: -The prescription drug lovastatin, identical to monacolin K, is the principal statin produced by M. purpureus.
Detailed explanation-3: -The red rice yeast produces a statin (lovastatin) in the process of fermenting rice. It has been part of traditional Chinese medicine and has undergone formal testing in the West. The data indicate that significant LDL cholesterol reductions of 22% can be obtained with 2.4 g of red rice yeast.
Detailed explanation-4: -Red yeast rice, a Chinese dietary supplement, has gained popularity because of its properties as a natural statin. This fermented rice product is used as a medicinal food to improve blood circulation by decreasing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Detailed explanation-5: -Natural statins can be obtained from different genera and species of filamentous fungi. Lovastatin is mainly produced by Aspergillus terreus strains, and mevastatin by Penicillium citrinum.