• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2023

Red yeast rice, also known as Hong Qu and red Koji, has been used for a long time in Asian functional food and traditional medicine. It consists of multiple bioactive substances, which can potentially be used as nutraceuticals. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) can range from simple steatosis or inflammation to fibrosis and cirrhosis, possibly through leaky gut and systemic endotoxemia. This study examined the liver and gut effects of red yeast rice (RYR) (Monascus purpureus) ethanol extract against binge ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. RYR extract was orally administered to C57BL/6N mice at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight per day for 10 days. Then, mice were administered binge alcohol (5 g/kg/dose) three times at 12 hr intervals. Binge alcohol exposure significantly elevated the endotoxin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) activity of plasma, as well as hepatic triglyceride levels; however, RYR treatments reduced these levels. In addition, RYR pretreatment significantly reduced the alcohol-induced oxidative maker protein and apoptosis maker in binge alcohol-induced gut and liver injuries. These results suggest that RYR may prevent alcohol-induced acute leaky gut and liver damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2014

Red yeast rice (RYR) has been known to exhibit various biological effects, including anti-hyperlipidemia, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammtory activities. Oxidative stress is a main risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect of RYR on rats fed a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with either 0.2%, 1%, or 5% RYR for 4 weeks. We measured lipid profiles in the plasma and liver, antioxidant enzyme activities in plasma and erythrocyte, gene expression of antioxidant enzymes in the liver, and oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes. The group supplemented with 0.2% RYR had total cholesterol level in plasma decreased by 24%, while the group supplemented with 5% RYR had high-density cholesterol increased by 20% compared to the control. The antioxidant enzyme activities were also affected by RYR supplementation. Total superoxide dismutase activities in plasma significantly decreased by 11% in the 1% RYR group, while these activities in the liver significantly decreased by 16% and 21% in the 1% and 5% supplemented group compared to the control, respectively. Glutathione peroxidase activities in plasma and erythrocytes increased 13% and 48% in the 1% RYR group, respectively. Catalase (CAT) activity in erythrocytes significantly increased by 49% and 68% in the 1% and 5% RYR group compared to the control, respectively. The gene expression of CAT was up-regulated 7.9 fold compared to the control in the 5% RYR supplemented group. These results suggest that RYR can control hyperlipidemia by improving the lipid profile and modulating oxidative stress.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2016

This study investigated the quality characteristics and retarding retrogradation of sponge cakes made with red yeast rice (RYR) flour. RYR (Monascus nuruk) is known to help digestion, smooth blood flow, and have anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and inhibitory effects against biosynthesis of cholesterol and blood pressure. This studys aim' was to find the optimal proportion of RYR flour in sponge cake. RYR sponge cakes were prepared with various levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) replacement of wheat flour and were designated as the control (without RYR), RYR5, RYR10, RYR15 and RYR20 respectively. Specific gravity was the lowest in RYR15 at 0.57, and the baking loss rate was not significantly different among the samples (p<0.05). The dough yield was the highest in RYR15 at 96.61. The moisture contents was highest in order, control, RYR5, and RYR15 at 28.67%, 28.18%, and 26.82% respectively. The L-value of crust tended to increase according to the level of RYR, but the L-value of crumb decreased in accorddance with the the content of RYR. The a-value of crust also decreased according to the level of RYR, although the a-value of crumb increased in response to higher levels of RYR. The b-value tended to decrease with increases of RYR (p<0.05). RYR5 exhibited the highest pH at 8.63, compared with RYR15 (8.57). The hardness, which was measured after cooling for 1 hour, was the lowest in RYR15 at $163.33g/cm^2$ and the springiness was not different significantly (p<0.05). Cohesiveness was the highest in RYR10 at 133.06%. The chewiness was the highest in RYR10 at $391.63g{\cdot}cm$ and lowest in RYR15 ast $169.62g{\cdot}cm$. Avrami equation showed that RYR15 and RYR20 had the lowest Avrami exponent (n) at 0.0664 and 0.4983 respectively. Time constant (1/k) was the highest in RYR15 at 200.00. Sensory evaluation revealed that RYR15 was the highest in color (5.50), flavor (4.95), sweetness (4.90), chewiness (4.75), and overall acceptability (4.60).

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2014

Red yeast rice (RYR) is the product of fermented yeast by Monascus strains on rice, and has recently become a popular dietary supplement as a traditional food in Asia. RYR contains monacolin K substances known to inhibit cholesterol synthesis as efficiently as statin drugs. To determine the optimal rice cultivar for manufacturing RYR, 7 rice cultivars (Goami, Goami2, Sangjuchalbyeo, Seolgaeng, Saegyejinmi, Yeonghojinmi and Chilbo) were fermented using two Monascus strains (M. ruber KCTC6122 and KCCM60141 of M. ruber) in this study. The monacolin K content of Sangjuchalbyeo were 47.24 ppm on KCTC6122 cultures and 117.03 ppm on KCCM60141 cultures, respectively. Other cultivars, especially Goami and Goami2, which had less content of monacolin K could not seem to ferment normally because those didn't show red color. These results imply that Sangjuchalbyeo can be optimal rice cultivar as a commercial RYR which is well fermented rice and has high content of monacolin K.