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Effects of Monascus pilosus SWM 008-Fermented Red Mold Rice and Its Functional Components on Gut Microbiota and
Pei-Xin Yang1,2, Chen-Ru You1, Yun-Hsuan Lin1
1Department of Life Science, National Taitung University, Taitung 95092, Taiwan.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Red mold rice, from Monascus pilosus SWM 008, safely enhances gut microbiota by boosting beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila. This functional food promotes gut health and metabolic balance even on a normal diet.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nutritional Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Red mold rice, fermented by Monascus spp., influences gut microbiota and metabolic health.
- Previous research suggests red mold rice impacts cholesterol, lipid accumulation, and bile acid excretion, altering gut microbiota in high-fat diets.
- The direct impact of Monascus-derived products on gut microbiota versus indirect effects from metabolic improvements remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Monascus pilosus SWM 008 fermented red mold rice and its components (monascin, monascinol, ankaflavin, polysaccharides) on gut microbiota and metabolic health in rats under normal dietary conditions.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of red mold rice in modulating gut microbial composition and function.
- To differentiate direct microbial modulation from indirect metabolic effects.
Main Methods:
- Rats were fed a normal diet for eight weeks with red mold rice or its components.
- Physiological, biochemical, and gut microbiota parameters were systematically analyzed.
- High-throughput sequencing was used for gut microbiota composition analysis.
Main Results:
- No adverse effects on body weight, liver, or kidney function were observed, indicating safety.
- Red mold rice, monascin, monascinol, and polysaccharides significantly altered gut microbiota composition.
- A notable increase in the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Ligilactobacillus murinus, and Duncaniella dubosii, was observed.
- Functional predictions suggested enhanced vitamin K2 biosynthesis and nucleotide metabolism, indicative of improved gut health.
Conclusions:
- Monascus pilosus SWM 008 fermented red mold rice is safe and beneficial for maintaining gut microbiota balance.
- The study provides evidence for the direct modulation of gut microbiota by red mold rice and its components under normal dietary conditions.
- Red mold rice shows potential as a functional food for promoting gut health.
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