Red Rice Products Research Articles

A Review of the Influence of Genotype, Environment, and Food Processing on the Bioactive Compound Profile of Red Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Red rice has achieved a lot of visibility due to its greater amounts of bioactive compounds compared to traditional white rice. The increased recognition of red rice by the industry is a consequence of the expansion of its study in the field of research. The red color of its grains is characteristic of the presence of proanthocyanidins, which is associated with health benefits such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases. In addition, red rice is gluten-free and hypoallergenic, which makes it suitable for celiac or gluten-intolerant patients. However, the contents of phytochemicals can vary with the influence of the adaptability of genotypes to the environment, cultivation practices, abiotic stresses, and industrial processing. In this scenario, one of the challenges is to increase the diversity of red rice products while having a minimum impact on the content of bioactive compounds, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids. In this review, a complete overview of the importance of pigmented red rice is presented, including the effects of different genotypes, the growth environment, and industrial processing on the bioactive compounds, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids, in red rice, and the health benefits of its products are described. Studies cited in this review article were found by searching through the Web of Science database from 2013 to 2023. After a detailed and up-to-date search, 36 studies were included in this review article.

RED RICE MARKETING STRATEGY IN COMPONG VILLAGE, PITU RIASE DISTRICT, SIDENRENG RAPPANG REGENCY

This research aims to determine the internal factors of red rice farmers in Compong Village, the external factors of red rice farmers in Compong Village, and the marketing strategies of red rice farmers in Compong Village. This research uses qualitative descriptive. The sampling technique is based on specific considerations, namely that the determination of informants is not based on guidelines or population representation, but on the depth of information required. The results of the research show 1) SWOT analysis on the marketing of red rice in Compong village, Pitu Riase subdistrict, Sidenreng Rappang district, is that the strength of the high nutritional content of red rice and a suitable location for farming can be an added value for the product. Weaknesses The low level of public awareness about health can influence consumer interest. Opportunity: There is Huge market potential around Sidenreng Rappang Regency and big cities in South Sulawesi. Threats: Tight competition with similar red rice products from other regions. 2) The marketing strategy in Compong village is an ST (Strengths-Threats) strategy that can be taken by utilizing internal strengths to overcome external threats. One emerging external threat is competition from red rice products in the surrounding area. To overcome this threat, Compong Village can maintain its product excellence by improving the quality of red rice products and expanding its marketing network by collaborating with organic food producers.

Responses of red rice paddy under low nutrient supply in type B tidal swamp

Low soil fertility can constrain the paddy red rice yield. One of the efforts to increase paddy red rice production at the Tidal swamp area is using iron toxicity tolerant varieties. The objectives of this research were (i) to evaluate the agronomic responses of red paddy rice to low nutrient supply to determine the sensitive character and (ii) to identify the tolerant and nutrient-efficient variety under low nutrient supply in a tidal swamp area. The experiment was conducted at Tidal Swamp Area Type B, Telang Sari Village, Banyuasin District, South Sumatra Province. The experimental design was Split Plot with five replications. Nutrient supply was the main plot, and the Varieties (Inpara 7; Inpago 7, Aek Sibundong, and Telang Sari) were the subplot. The nutrient supply treatments were H1: standard fertilizer rate and H2: low nutrient supply, which is 30% of the standard rate. The results showed that Inpago 7 and Inpara 7 were potential varieties at low nutrient supply. The sensitive characteristics of the varieties evaluated were chlorophyll content, number of tillers, grain weight, and percentage of empty grain for growth and production characters.

Combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticide increases organic red rice yield and reduces the Leptocorisa acuta population

Abstract. Hoesain M, Prastowo S, Suharto, Pradana AP, Asyiah IN, Alfarizy FK, Adiwena M. 2021. Combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticide increases organic red rice yield and reduces the Leptocorisa acuta population. Biodiversitas 22: 1686-1694. Organic red rice production faces similar constraints as conventional rice production, namely pest attacks, especially rice earhead bugs (Leptocorisa acuta). The use of synthetic chemical inputs is also not allowed in organic red rice production. This problem can be overcome with the application of botanical pesticides, but the use of botanical pesticides do not promote plant growth. As a solution, a combination formula of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticides is required. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria with botanical pesticides in increasing the growth and yield of organic red rice plants and reducing the rice earhead bug population. The research was conducted on organic agricultural land in Jember Regency, Indonesia. The research began with the extraction of botanical pesticides from the leaves of Azadirachta indica, Aglaia odorata, and Ageratum conyzoides using 96% ethanol. The bacterial isolates obtained and characterized in previous studies were tested for their compatibility and cell viability in the combination formula. The field experiment was conducted with 8 treatments, 3 replications, and each replication consisted of 150 rice plants. The randomization pattern followed a randomized block design pattern. The results showed that all bacteria were compatible when combined with 20% botanical pesticides. In addition, cell viability at 3 months of storage decreased, but not significantly. In the organic rice growth variable, all combinations of bacteria with botanical pesticides showed good performance to increase the plant growth. Increased plant growth occurred in the number of tillers, plant height, and the number of productive panicles. Furthermore, yield variables, fresh seed weight per panicle, dry seed weight per panicle, and weight of 1000 seeds also increased significantly after being treated with a combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticides. The decline in the rice earhead bug population also occurred in all plants treated using botanical pesticides either singly or in combination. The best treatments in this study were BS01 and PD01, which showed consistent results. This study provides information that the combination of plant growth-promoting bacteria and botanical pesticides is compatible, does not cause a high number decrease of bacterial cells at a shelf-life of 3 months, and can stimulate the growth and yield of organic red rice, and can suppress rice earhead bug populations.

Technical Efficiency of Red Rice Farming in Gunung Kidul Regency, Yogyakarta

Red rice is germplasm in Gunung Kidul Regency, whose territory is north, central, and south. This study aimed to analyze the factors that influence the production of red rice farming in Gunung Kidul Regency, analyze the level of technical efficiency, and the factors that influence the technical inefficiency of red rice farming in Gunung Kidul Regency. This research was conducted in Gunung Kidul Regency, which was determined purposively, in sampling 200 respondents. Data were analyzed using the Cobb-Douglas Stochastic Frontier model production function. The results showed that the variable area of land, seeds, manure, phonska fertilizer, urea fertilizer, liquid pesticides, and labor had a significant effect on the production of red rice. Technically, farmers have been efficient, with an average index of 0.837. Meanwhile, from the five internal factors of farmers, age, formal education, farming experience, dummy zones in the north, dummy zones in the south, no effect on inefficiency

Factors affecting farmers' motivation for red rice farming in Ponjong District, Gunung Kidul Regency, Indonesia

Red rice in Ponjong District has increased production. Increased production of red rice causes farmers to have limited capital by balancing their daily needs. In this case, farmers have the motivation or motivation to fulfill their basic needs. This study aims to determine the motivation of farmers in farming and the relationship between the factors that influence the motivation of red rice farmers. Ponjong sub-district has three parts with three villages, namely the northern zone (Umbulrejo Village), the middle zone (Sumbergiri Village), and the southern zone (Sidorejo Village). The research location was determined purposely. Samples were taken by systematic random sampling as many as 200 samples from 399 farmers. The analysis technique in this study uses descriptive analysis and Correlation Rank Spearman. The results showed that each motivation variable, namely the need for existence, the need for relatedness, and the need for growth had a high level of motivation. The results of the Spearman Rank Correlation show that the internal factors are significant, namely education, land area, and land status, while the negative sign is age. There are no significant external factors for each zone regarding the relationship of farmer motivation to red rice.

Manufacturing Organic Embryo Red Rice using Sugawa Machine at Lombok Kulon, Wonosari Subdistrict Bondowoso Regency, East Java

Gapoktan Al-Barokah of Lombok Kulon, Wonosari Subdistrict, in Bondowoso Regency has started milling organic rice using husking machine thus produced raw red rice. Raw red rice is rice grain that has its husks removed. The study established that raw red rice is actually covered by hard husk which contains Phytic Acid that could obstruct nutrition absorption to the body. Other drawbacks from raw red rice is that soaking is required before cooking, the texture of the cooked rice is hard to eat, and its nutrition is difficult to digest. These make it less favorable among society therefore it is not in a good sale so far, resulting in low revenue of the organic rice farmers. Therefore, this program was initiated to enrich the quality of red rice products through adding a step into the milling process which is milling using sugawa machine to remove the hard husks. The final product expected from the program was organic embryo red rice that is easy for cooking, soft textured cooked rice, and digestable rice in order to increase the chance of optimal nutrition absorption to the body. Among several solutions offered in the program include supplying and testing a milling machine, production training and guidance, socializing and marketing. The first solution administered was supplying and testing a Sugawa machine to mill raw rice into embryo red and brown rice. Then, it was followed by providing a Sugawa pressure cooker tool to mix derived product from the materials used such as embryo rice and bran, that is embryo porridge and bran cereal. The training conducted in the program contains guidance for applying the SOP of producing embryo rice and its derivatives. While socialization was administered specifically to the board and partners of Gapoktan Al-Barokah, village government, field trainers, and muspika (council for local government) of Wonosari aiming to achieve a collective and sustainable movement, as well as a group of patients of degenerative illnesses from Community Health Center of Wonosari. Finally, it was followed by marketing that was performed during the socialization by providing samples of embryo red rice, embryo brown rice, and its derivatives. The embryo rice was packaged in a 1kg-vacuum bag, labelled with Botanik Beras Embrio Merah and Botanik Beras Embrio Coklat and thereby distributed to nearby stores around Wonosari subdistrict area.

THE IMPACT OF DIVERSIFICATION OF SANDALWOOD RED RICE PRODUCT ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF LOCAL ECONOMY IN MENGESTA VILLAGE.

Sandalwood red rice is the superior product of the village of Mengesta, Penebel, Tabanan. The purpose of this activity is to apply technology to produce a version of the sandalwood type of red rice product into a health food/drink product. The target output is to increase community knowledge and skills in the field of food processing technology and improve the economy of the local community. The method of implementing activities uses the PAP (Participatory Assessment and Planning) method which consists of four main steps, namely: (1) finding problems, (2) identifying potentials, (3) analyzing problems and potentials, and (4) choosing problem-solving solutions. Data were analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The results of this activity are as follows. (1) Increasing public knowledge and skills in the field of food processing technology by utilizing sandalwood red rice. (2) The creation of a variety of processed red rice products into angkak (Red Mold Rice) as health drinks and natural food coloring agents, and (3) increasing community livelihoods which have an impact on improving the local economy.

Forecasting Analysis of Organic Red Rice’s Demand Using Artificial Neural Networks

Consumer demand for organic red rice in Banyuwangi is always fluctuating each period. This study aims to design an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Architecture and forecast the demand of Red Rice Production at PT. Sirtanio Organik Indonesia located at Singojuruh, Banyuwangi. Demand forecasting is the level of demand product that is expected to be realized for a certain period in the future. The data used as input for this study are product prices, stocks, sales and demand in 2015-2017. This research used six architectures and Algorithm that used is Artificial Neural Network Backpropagation. The research result showed that highest demand for organic red rice is in August of 2018 and the lowest in April of 2018. The conclusion of this research showed that the best architecture is 3-20-1 with MSE value of 0.002 and R squared of 0.859 and this model is well used to predict organic red rice demand in Banyuwangi.Keywords: Artificial Neural Network, backpropagation, Banyuwangi, MSE, organic red rice

Yield Performance and Nutrient Uptake of Red Rice Variety (MRM 16) at Different NPK Fertilizer Rates

Global demand for high-quality rice and healthy food has increased, especially to the affluent and health-conscious consumers. Red rice has been consumed because of its health benefits. Red rice has met the concepts of productivity and quality that emerged to supply the demands for products that improve the eating pattern of its consuming population. Red rice is based on food industries especially for nutrition-based food products and baby food products. For the case on Malaysia, limited domestic supplies of red rice have led to full dependency on imported red rice supplies in the country. Recent statistics showed that the Sarawak state can be one of the potential areas for the development of red rice production due to its vast land resources; proper guidelines which suit the agroecosystem in Sarawak for cultivation of red rice are essential. As for rice production in general, proper application of fertilizers enhances the yield and to a certain extent sustains soil productivity. Considering the needs to establish a proper fertilizing program especially for red rice production in Sarawak, a preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the yield and yield components of red rice variety (MRM 16) with three levels of NPK fertilizers (Treatment 1, control; Treatment 2, 60 : 35 : 40; Treatment 3, 120 : 70 : 80; and Treatment 4, 180 : 105 : 120 (proportions of N, P2O5, and K2O·ha−1, respectively)). The experiment was conducted in the pot trial during main season 2016 (December 2016–April 2017). The yield parameters including rice yield, panicle no./m2, 1000-grain weight, spikelet number per panicle, and percentage of filled spikelets were collected. The results showed that yield was not significantly affected by the increment of the NPK fertilizer added at a rate of more than 60 kg/ha N, 35 kg/ha P, and 40 kg/ha K (T2). From the study, it was observed that the yield and yield components of red rice variety (MRM 16) were best in T2 (60 kg/ha N, 35 kg/ha P, and 40 kg/ha K).

PENERAPAN GOOD AGRICULTURE PRACTICES (GAP) PADA USAHATANI PADI MERAH ORGANIK

Sirtanio Rural Agriculture Training Center (P4S) is an organic farming training institution in Banyuwangi. The technological innovations introduced by P4S are outlined in the form of Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) to make it easier for farmers to adopt organic farming systems. The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) the level of application of GAP SOP on organic red rice farming farmers participating in Sirtanio P4S in Banyuwangi, (2) the factors that influence farmers decisions in the implementation of organic red rice farming GAP SOP for farmers participating in Sirtanio P4S in Banyuwangi, and (3) the correlation between the application of GAP SOP on organic rice farming of participant farmersin Sirtanio P4S in Banyuwangi towards organic red rice production. The determination of the study area uses the purposive method, namely in the Village Sumberarum District Songgon Banyuwangi Regency East Java, Indonesia. The research method uses descriptive and analytical methods. The sampling technique for this study is total sampling. The data retrieval uses interview, observation and document analysis methods. The results showed that (1) the level of application of organic farming in Songgon District as a whole was high (64,52%); (2) the factors that significantly influence the decision making of organic red rice farmers in adopting organic GAP SOP as recommended were age, income, and land ownership status; and (3) there was a significant relationship between the application of organic GAP SOP to rice production organic red in Sumberarum Village.

Respon pertumbuhan dan produksi padi beras merah (Oryza nivara) terhadap cekaman kekeringan pada fase pertumbuhan berbeda dan pemupukan nanosilika

The purpose of this research was to analyze the response of growth and production of red rice (Oryza nivara) under drought and nanosilica fertilization condition. This research was conducted in Greenhouse and Laboratory of and Plant Physiology and Breeding of at Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Diponegoro University, Semarang from April to July 2017. The research was arranged using completely randomized factorial design. The first factor was drought stress (control, drought 20-35 DAP (Days After Planting), 40-55 DAP and 55-70 DAP). The second factor was the use of nanosilika fertilizers (without nanosilika, with nanosilica). The data were analyzed by anova and followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that the drought stress during tiller production stage decreased the total number of tillers, productive tillers and grain weight per clump, but not in weight of one thousand seeds. Drought stress during flowering stage and seed filling only decreases the weight of one thousand seeds. Application of nanosilica increases the number of productive tillers and the weight of grain per hill. There was no interaction between drought stress treatment and nanosilika fertilization. Keywords: red rice, production, drought, nanosilica.

Strategi Segmenting, Targeting dan Positioning Pemasaran Beras Merah Organik Jatiluwih Bali di Provinsi Bali

Segmenting, Targeting, and Positioning Strategies of Marketing JatiluwihOrganic Brown Rice in Bali Province
 A company cannot serve all consumers in a vast market. Therefore, if the companywishes to be in the market and win a competition, it must seek a strategy that canunderstand consumers and competitors. This study aimed to determine the marketsegment (segmenting), target market (targeting) and market position (positioning) oforganic red rice products of Jatiluwih Bali. The technique of determining samplesused accidental non-probabilitiy random sampling method. Segmenting and targetingwere done using cluster analysis and crosstab analysis tools. Positioning used Multidimensional scaling and Corespondence analysis. The results of this study showedthat there were 3 segments, with percentage of Segment-1 (49%), Segment-2 (31%)and Segment-3 (20%). Based on the market appeal, potential target market wassegment-3. Product positioning based on MDS analysis tool, Jatiluwih rice productwas not in any quadrant, so it showed no resemblance to the competitor's product.Positioning based on CA analysis, organic red rice products Jatiluwih Bali hadadvantages in health attributes, packaging and aroma. Suggestions that can be madeare that the company should implement strategies to increase sales by maintaining orincreasing the attributes of excellence, increasing price discounts and maintainingquality, developing promotional activities and diversification of processed red riceproducts.

Financial Feasibility of Rice Red Rice Farming Oryza Nivara (Case Study: Village of Saran Padang, Dolok Silau Subdistrict, Simalungun Regency)

This research was conducted with the aim to know the financial feasibility of red rice farming. The population in this study is farmers of red rice in the village of Saran Padang, Dolok Silau District, Simalungun Regency. From the research results obtained the amount of rice production of red rice amounted to 1,014.40 Kg with the price of Rp. 5,700 / Kg, then the amount of farmer's acceptance is Rp. 5,782,080 seasonal crops. Total cost incurred of Rp. 2.851.535 planting season, so that the income of Rp. 2,930,545. Red rice farming is feasible to be cultivated based on NPV, IRR and BEP criteria with NPV value 11.251.995, IRR value is 76,76%, and BEP value is overall profitable, with BEP value Rp. Rp. 2.811 BEP Production 287,87 Kg and BEP Revenue Rp. 1.640.213. Keywords: Financial Feasibility, Rice Red, Farming

Reduction of seed production of red rice escapes in clearfield rice

Roguing is a practice used to reduce the seed source of red rice escapes to control in Clearfield-rice areas. However, there is great difficulty in performing it in large and heavily infested rice fields. This objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of the use of imazamox herbicide, applied in different rates and times, on plants of Clearfield-rice and red rice. Four experiments were conducted during the 2007/08 and 2008/09 growing seasons, in completely randomized block design and treatments arranged in factorial design, using three replications per treatment. The treatments had increasing rates of imazamox, application times and rice cultivars. The rice cultivars tested were IRGA 417, IRGA 422 CL, Avaxi CL and Puitá INTA CL. The variables evaluated were the number of panicles m-2, number of grains panicle-1, spikelet sterility in rice and red rice; and, rice grain yield and its components. The imazamox reduced the seed production of red rice escapes in a simulated situation of commercial Clearfield-rice area. The greater percentage reductions were obtained when this herbicide was applied at final formation of the panicle or panicle exertion of the red rice plant escapes to control. The Puitá INTA CL cultivar has high level of resistance to imazamox, independent of rate and application times tested, becoming the only alternative to the use of this practice.

고지방식이 마우스의 체중과 혈청지질 및 항산화계 효소활성에 미치는 발효 비지의 식이효과

We investigated the ability of soybean curd residue (SCR) and its fermented products to inhibit obesity and improve the blood lipid profiles of obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Samples were prepared by fermenting SCR with Aspergillus oryzae var effuses KACC 44990 (ASCR), a microbe used for the fermentation of traditional Korean Meju, and with Monascus pilosus IFO 4480 (MSCR), a microbe used for the production of red rice. In addition, AMSCR, a mixture composed of equal amounts of ASCR and MSCR, was also prepared. Male mice were divided into six groups and fed with either a normal diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet supplemented with SCR, ASCR, MSCR, or AMSCR. After 8 weeks, body weight gain, serum and hepatic lipid profiles, and the activities of enzymes that generate or scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. Compared with the high-fat diet group, all the test groups showed a significant reduction in body, organ, and epididymal fat weight gain. These effects were observed with supplements in the order AMSCR>ASCR>MSCR>SCR. Similarly, supplements of test samples reduced high levels of serum and hepatic triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol caused by hight-fat diet, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was increased. Interestingly, the ability of ASCR to lower serum TG was stronger than that of MSCR, while MSCR showed a stronger hypocholesterolemic effect than ASCR. Meanwhile, AMSCR returned comprehensively serum lipid levels to normal. In addition, hepatic damage was prevented with effects in the order AMSCR>ASCR>MSCR>SCR. Hepatic ROS generating system including xanthine oxidase (XO) and ROS scavenging system including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were recovered to normal level by all test diets. In conclusion, this study suggests that SCR and its fermented products can inhibit obesity and improve lipid profiles.

Simultaneous determination of lovastatin and citrinin in red yeast rice supplements by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Lovastatin is a main component of Monascus purpureus fermented red rice contributing to the lipid-lowering effect. Citrinin is a toxic fermentation by-product which can be found as a contaminant. An accurate, simple and rapid micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatographic method was developed for the first time for simultaneous determination of lovastatin present in lactone and hydroxy acid forms and citrinin in red rice products provided by different manufacturers and formulated in various dosage forms. Separation was achieved within only 2min using 20mM of phosphate buffer at pH 7.0 and 30mM of sodium dodecyl sulphate at an applied voltage of 25kV. Sensitivity crucial for detecting citrinin was enhanced by using an extended light path capillary. The results showed that the content of lovastatin and its acid form in dietary supplements were considerably different indicating the need for improved standardization in order to ensure efficiency and safety of these products.

Characteristics of Monascus sp. isolated from Monascus fermentation products

To screen for the strains suitable for industrial applications, 15 Monacus sp. were isolated from various Monascus fermentation products. The isolated strains were belonging to Monascus pilosus, Monascus purpureus, Monascus albidulus, and Monascus femeus based on the ITS sequence and morphological characteristics. They produced globular and hyaline conidia, and red, orange, or hyaline ascomata except for M. fumeus, in which ascomata was not observed in malt extract media. Each strain produced monacolin K and citrinin at different levels on different media: 15.79–20.05 mg/L of monacolin K and 0–255 μg/L of citrinin in submerged culture of monacolin K producing media, 1.27–2.69 mg/L and about 507.4 μg/L in YES medium, 0–0.78 g/kg and 0–9.7 mg/kg in Monascus red rice products, suggesting that it is necessary to adopt the similar conditions to a specific application for screening as well. These various isolated strains would be great resources for industrial application to develop Monascus fermented functional products.

Rice and red rice interference. I. Response of red rice (Oryza sativa) to sowing rates of tropicaljaponicaandindicarice cultivars

Field experiments were conducted at the Rice Research and Extension Center at Stuttgart, AR, in 1997 and 1998 to evaluate the growth response of Stuttgart strawhull (Stgstraw) red rice to sowing densities of 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1of ‘Kaybonnet,’ ‘Guichao,’ and ‘PI 312777’ rice cultivars. PI 312777 produced a greater leaf area index and tiller density than Kaybonnet when grown with red rice. In 1997, Stgstraw seed yields were lower when grown with PI 312777 and Guichao than with Kaybonnet. The increased weed population in 1998 did not increase seed yield production of red rice when grown with the three rice cultivars. The Stgstraw red rice seed yield was reduced when grown with 50 kg ha−1rice when compared with its yield in monoculture and was reduced further when grown with 100 and 150 kg ha−1rice. These results demonstrate that red rice was more competitive when compared with the tropicaljaponicaKaybonnet than theindicaPI 312777. Despite its semidwarf stature, PI 312777 tended to suppress red rice more than did Guichao or Kaybonnet. The mechanisms responsible for this difference could be important keys to the effective use of weed-suppressive cultivars in reduced herbicide input systems.

Mycelial reactions and mycelial compatibility groups of red rice mould ( Monascus purpureus)

Intraspecific heterogeneity among 27 Asian monoconidial isolates and four ATCC ex-type cultures of Monascus purpureus from red rice and sufu was revealed as mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs) using mycelial reactions of 496 mycelial parings. Among 88 pairs, at least three kinds of mycelial incompatible reactions were found at the interaction zone of confronting colonies as: (1) closely forming but not overlapping colonies; (2) sparsely forming aerial mycelia; and (3) thick mycelial band followed by mycelial deterioration of one partner. A mycelial-free zone was not found in any interaction. Compatible interactions were evidenced by freely intermingled hyphae with no apparent inhibition of growth of either partner. At least six MCGs were found based on compatible reactions. MCG1 and MCG2 consisted of 11 isolates, mostly from Thailand. Also, MCG1 contained two ATCC ex-type cultures, ATCC16365 (from Indonesia) and ATCC26264 (from Taiwan). In addition to nine Thai isolates, MCG2 included T9.1 isolate from China and isolate ATCC16427. Furthermore, four small MCGs of M. purpureus were identified. MCG3 (isolates A4.8 & TT4.2) and MCG4 (isolates 10 & M6) were comprised of isolates from Thailand. MCG6 consisted of Japanese isolate M22, and ATCC16360. Isolate ATCC16360 was of unknown origin and previously had been identified as M. anka. MCG5 consisted of Japanese isolate M20 and two Thai isolates, M13 & M14. The result indicated the Thai isolates of MCG1 (16.1, T8.6, TT2.3, TT5.1, M1, M2, M3, M7 & SR) were the same clone as those isolates from Indonesia and Taiwan. Also, the Thai isolates of MCG2 (4, 8, 11, TT1.1, M4, M8, M15, M17 & M18) along with the Chinese isolate T9.1 and ATCC16427 were from the same genetic origin. This study was correlated to those of RAPD analysis of genetic variation within a collection of Monascus spp. isolated from red rice and sufu. M. purpureus isolates used as a starter culture of red rice production among Asian countries were from a rather restricted genetic pool, e.g. China, Taiwan and Japan, although the isolates of M. purpureus studied were moderately genetically diverse.