Improvement of Monacolin K and Pigment Production in Monascus by 5-Azacytidine

<i>Monascus</i> species are known to produce various secondary metabolites with polyketide structures, including Monacolins, pigments, and citrinin. This study investigates the effects of 5-azacytidine on <i>Monascus</i> M1 and RP2. The dry weight, red, yellow, and orange pigment values, and Monacolin K yield of both <i>Monascus</i> strains were measured, and their hyphae observed through electron microscopy. The experimental group showed higher dry weights and pigment values than the control group for both strains. However, Monacolin K production increased substantially only for <i>Monascus</i> M1. Electron micrographs revealed surface wrinkles and large protrusions in both strains after 5-azacytidine treatment. As a potent DNA methylation-promoting agent, 5-azacytidine is very useful for epigenetic and cancer biology studies and for studying secondary metabolism in fungi.