Simultaneous production of natural statins and coenzyme Q10 by Monascus pilosus fermentation using different solid substrates

Abstract

Simultaneous production of mevinolins (natural statins) and ubiquinones (coenzyme Qs; CoQ9 and CoQ10) were identified and determined in solid substrates fermented (SSF) with Monascus pilosus K-1140. The highest co-production of mevinolins (2.31±0.11 mg/g) and ubiquinones (0.24±0.02 mg/g) was obtained in a mixed grains substrate (rice:sorghum:barley:buckwheat:soybean; 1:1:1:1:1; w/w/w/w/w). The optimal conditions for mixed grains in the SSF were initial moisture content of 50% and initial substrate pH of 6. The total production of CoQs was increased by 32% with the addition of red paprika. Mevinolinic acid (hypocholesterolemic agent) was the main component contributing 81.3 to 91.5% of total mevinolins in the fermented substrates. The results indicate that mixed grain fermented with M. pilosus may be used as a new nutraceuticals with anti-atherosclerotic function without statin-induced CoQ10 deficiency.