Effect of Exogenous and Endogenous Ectoine on Monascus Development, Metabolism, and Pigment Stability.

, a key player in fermented food production, is known for generating pigments (MPs) and monacolin K (MK), possessing bioactive properties. However, the limited stability of MPs and mycotoxin citrinin (CTN) constrain the industry. Extremolytes like ectoine, derived from bacteria, exhibit cytoprotective potential. Here, we investigated the impact of ectoine on ATCC 16365, emphasizing development and secondary metabolism. Exogenous 5 mM ectoine supplementation substantially increased the yields of MPs and MK (105%-150%) and reduced CTN production. Ectoine influenced mycelial growth, spore development, and gene expression in . Remarkably, ectoine biosynthesis was achieved in , showing comparable effects to exogenous addition. Notably, endogenous ectoine effectively enhanced the stability of MPs under diverse stress conditions. Our findings propose an innovative strategy for augmenting the production and stability of bioactive compounds while reducing CTN levels, advancing the industry.