Global Journal of Biotechnology & Biochemistry 9 (1): 01-13, 2014 ISSN 2078-466X © IDOSI Publications, 2014 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gjbb.2014.9.1.8268 Corresponding Author: M. Eman Mostafa, Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, P.O. Box. 71516, Assiut, Egypt. 1 Secondary Metabolites and Bioactivity of the Monascus Pigments Review Article M. Eman Mostafa and M. Saad Abbady 1 2 Department of Botany and Microbiology, 1 Faculty of Science, Assiut University, P.O. Box. 71516, Assiut, Egypt Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, 2 Assiut University, P.O. Box.71516, Assiut, Egypt Abstract: Monascus pigments have many applications such as coloring agents in foodstuffs, texture industries, pharmacology, medicine and cosmetics. Globule production and annual consumption of the pigment around the world were reported. Thirteen Monascus species were reported as pigment producers. All the recent information's about Monascus bioactive metabolites were reported and the pigments also are classified into four categories including: yellow, orange, red and colorless metabolites. Also, bioactivities of their metabolites were classified into: antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer, anti-cholesterols and anti-cardiovascular disease, human health supporting agents and immune enhancer metabolites. Pigment production are maximizing and improving their productivity by selection of the good producing strains, genetic and metabolic engineering. Key words: Monascus pigments Bioactive metabolites Regulation of pigment production INTRODUCTION four categories based on color including yellow, orange, Monascus pigments have many applications such as classified into eight categories based on their bioactivity coloring agents in foodstuffs and texture industries , including aroma & flavor compounds, antibacterial, 1 pharmacology, medicine [1-7] and cosmetics [8]. Globule anticancer, anti-cardiovascular disease agents and anti- production and annual consumption of Monascus cholesterols specially moncolin K which also acts as an pigments in Japan increased from 100 tons in 1981 to 600 anti-(colon cancer, microbial and oxidant), immune tons in 1992 and was valued at $12 million according to a enhancer, liver protector: spleen strengthener, digestion survey published in 1992 [7,8]. Numerous investigators promoter, eliminator of dampness and phlegm, removes recorded that the Monascus pigments were produced on blood stasis and increases insulin production [17-25]. commercial scales by many Monascus species specially To improve the pigment yield as well as to achieve M. anka [7-10], M. pilosus [11,12], M. purpureus [4,12]. highest standards of quality, health and safety regulation and M. ruber [3]. of the methods of production must be done on three In ancient times, Monascus pigments were produced levels. Selection of the Monascus pigments producers by primitive, rudimentary, simple methods and identified strains [26]. Improvement of strain productivity could be visually. Recently, there are sophisticated and more achieved by genetic engineering and metabolic advanced methods for production, detection, engineering [27,28]. identification and determination of the bioactive This review is designed to summarize all the available metabolites in the pigments for good quality, high yield, and recent publication on the pigmented bioactive color, stability and safety [1,7,13]. Monascus metabolites formed by fermentation on Monascus azaphilones polyketide pigmented different substrates. It also explains how to improve metabolites were classified on two bases including the pigment productivity with high standard of quality and color and their bioactivity. I: They were classified into bioactivity. red and colorless metabolites [1,14-16]. II: They were 27