Cytotoxicity Study Regarding Some Products Derived from Monascus sp.

Several species of the genus Monascus produce citrinin, a mycotoxin, are harmful to the hepatic and renal systems. For this reason, the citotoxicity study is necessary to evaluate the toxicological effect of Monascus products obtained from solid state or submerged biosynthesis. In our study we evaluate the content of mycotoxin in some Monascus products and the cytotoxicity effect of them. The study regarding citrinin content revealed a content of 145 ppm citrinin in the product obtained by solid state biosynthesis, a maximum content. In the case in which the biomaterials are obtained in submerged media, in the intracellular materials, the citrinin concentration was 82,71 mg/L (or 0,827 mg citrinin/g wet Monascus biomass). In the case of extracellular product obtained in submerged media, the mycotoxin content fluctuate in the range (7 divided by 24,5) mg/L. Study performed "in vitro" with product obtained in submerged media on fibroblast murine cell lines, reveals a cytotoxicity effect for concentration larger than 60 mu g/ml.