Metals of Deep Ocean Water Increase the Anti-Adipogenesis Effect of Monascus-Fermented Product via Modulating the Monascin and Ankaflavin Production

Abstract

Deep ocean water (DOW) obtained from a depth of more than 200 m includes abundant nutrients and minerals. DOW was proven to positively increase monascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK) production and the anti-adipogenesis effect of Monascus-fermented red mold dioscorea (RMD). However, the influences that the major metals in DOW have on Monascus secondary metabolite biosynthesis and anti-adipogenesis remain unknown. Therefore, the major metals in DOW were used as the culture water to produce RMD. The secondary metabolites production and anti-adipogenesis effect of RMD cultured with various individual metal waters were investigated. In the results, the addition of water with Mg, Ca, Zn, and Fe increased MS and AK production and inhibited mycotoxin citrinin (CT). However, the positive influence may be contributed to the regulation of pigment biosynthesis. Furthermore, in the results of cell testing, higher lipogenesis inhibition was seen in the treatments of various ethanol extracts of RMD cultured with water containing Mg, K, Zn, and Fe than in those of RMD cultured with ultra-pure water. In conclusion, various individual metals resulted in different effects on MS and AK productions as well as the anti-adipogenesis effect of RMD, but the specific metals contained in DOW may cause synergistic or comprehensive effects that increase the significantly positive influence.

Keywords: Monascus; ankaflavin; deep ocean water; monascin; obesity.

Figure 1

Time curve of the monascin (A); ankaflavin (B); and citrinin (C) concentrations of UPW-RMD and DOW-RMD. RMD was fermented with UPW or DOW at 28 °C. The data are presented as the means ± SD (n = 3). * p < 0.05, as compared with control.

Figure 2

HPLC-PDA chromatograms (A) and quantification contents (B) of pigments of red mold dioscorea fermented with various metals in water. The data are presented as the means ± SD (n = 3). * p < 0.05, as compared with UPW-RMD group; ^# p < 0.05, as compared with DOW-RMD group.

Figure 3

Effect of various metal water concentrations on the content of monascin, ankaflavin, and citrinin in the RMD. The metal concentration in the water was equal to that in deep ocean water. Concentrations are presented as the means ± SD (n = 3); ^# p < 0.05, as compared with control of monascin; * p < 0.05, as compared with control of ankaflavin; and ^§ p < 0.05, as compared with control of citrinin.

Figure 4

Effects of the ethanol extracts of RMD cultured with UPW, DOW, SW, and various metals water on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Preadipocytes were differentiated according to the method described in Materials and Methods. During differentiation the cells were treated with DOW-RE or UPW-RE. On day 8, the cells were fixed and stained with oil-red O.

Figure 5

Effects of the ethanol extracts of RMD cultured with UPW, DOW, SW, and various metals in water on lipogenesis in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes: (A) HR-LPL activity; (B) lipolysis effect. The data are presented as the means ± SD (n = 3). * p < 0.05, as compared with UPW-RMD group; ^# p < 0.05, as compared with DOW-RMD group.