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Microencapsulation of Monascus Red Pigment Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ghosts: Process Optimization and
Mohammed S Khalil1, Shaimaa O Makled2, Nefertiti El-Nikhely1,3
1Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
|July 1, 2025
Summary
Monascus red pigment (MRP) was microencapsulated using yeast cell ghosts (ScGs) for enhanced drug delivery. This novel bioformulation improved MRP
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Monascus red pigment (MRP) possesses therapeutic potential but requires improved delivery methods.
- Microbial secondary metabolites offer opportunities for novel therapeutic agents.
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae ghosts (ScGs) are a viable biocarrier for encapsulating bioactive compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a microencapsulation technique for Monascus red pigment (MRP) using Saccharomyces cerevisiae ghosts (ScGs).
- To characterize the resulting MRP-ScGs bioformulation and evaluate its drug release profile.
- To assess the enhanced bioactivity and cellular uptake of microencapsulated MRP for potential biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Microencapsulation of MRP within S. cerevisiae ghosts.
- Morphological characterization using light, electron, and confocal microscopy.
- Optimization of microencapsulation parameters using Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM).
- Drug release studies in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) with Tween 80.
- Cytotoxicity assays against A549 lung cancer cells.
- In silico bioinformatic analysis for target prediction.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated S. cerevisiae ghosts (ScGs) with preserved structure and suitable internal volume for microencapsulation.
- Optimized microencapsulation yielded a loading efficiency of 61.4% under specific conditions (25°C, 300 mg/mL MRP, 125 rpm, 90 min).
- Microencapsulated MRP (MRP-ScGs) exhibited a biphasic sustained release profile and enhanced cytotoxicity against A549 lung cancer cells compared to free MRP.
- Confocal microscopy confirmed increased cellular uptake of MRP-ScGs, correlating with enhanced bioactivity.
Conclusions:
- MRP-ScGs represent a promising bio-microcapsule platform for biomedical applications, offering structural stability.
- The microencapsulation process significantly enhanced the therapeutic potential and cellular uptake of Monascus red pigment.
- In silico analysis suggests potential for targeted drug delivery applications of MRP-ScGs.
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