Shinkiku (Massa Medicata Fermentata) is a traditional crude drug used to treat anorexia and dyspepsia of elder patients in east Asia. Shinkiku is generally prepared by the microbial fermentation of wheat and herbs. Shinkiku is also used in Japanese Kampo medicine as a component of 半夏白朮天麻湯 (Hangebyakujutsutemmato). However, the quality of shinkiku varies by manufacture because there are no reference standards to control the quality of medicinal shinkiku. Thus, we aim to characterize the quality of various commercially available shinkiku by chemical and microbial analysis. We collected 13 shinkiku products manufactured in China and Korea and investigated the microbial structure and chemical constituents. Amplicon sequence analysis revealed that Aspergillus sp. was common microorganism in shinkiku products. Digestive enzymes (α-amylase, protease, and lipase), organic acids (ferulic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, and acetic acid), and 39 volatile compounds were commonly found in shinkiku products. Although there were some commonalities in shinkiku products, microbial and chemical characteristic considerably differed as per the manufacturer. Aspergillus sp. was predominant in Korean products, and Korean products showed higher enzyme activities than Chinese products. Meanwhile, Bacillus sp. was commonly detected in Chinese shinkiku, and ferulic acid was higher in Chinese products. Principal component analysis based on the GC-MS peak area of the volatiles also clearly distinguished shinkiku products manufactured in China from those in Korea. Chinese products contained higher amounts of benzaldehyde and anethole than Korean ones. Korean products were further separated into two groups: one with relatively higher linalool and terpinen-4-ol and another with higher hexanoic acid and 1-octen-3-ol. Thus, our study revealed the commonality and diversity of commercial shinkiku products, in which the commonalities can possibly be the reference standard for quality control of shinkiku, and the diversity suggested the importance of microbial management to stabilize the quality of shinkiku.
Additional moisture in preparing red koji, Monascus‐fermented rice, is a characteristic production process. To determine how additional moisture affects red koji preparation as per quality, we compared the growth of Monascus purpureus, enzyme and pigment production, and related gene expressions using our findings. We considered two kinds of red koji: one prepared with additional moisture at the middle part of the preparation and the other prepared without additional moisture. Our results showed that additional moisture did not promote the growth of M. purpureus, but it was significantly increased the pigment (red and yellow) and tended to increase the α‐amylase level and saccharification power. Although adding a high amount of moisture (approximately 60% moisture content) promoted pigment production, it slightly repressed enzyme production. In contrast, adding approximately 50% moisture content promoted enzyme production. These findings showed that the additional moisture can affect the quality of red koji on the purpose. The expression of 10 pigment biosynthetic gene clusters and two glycohydrolase genes in red koji after adding moisture was analyzed through real‐time qPCR. Eight genes were upregulated within 1 hr after adding water, with mppR2 being the first upregulated gene within 30 min. The expression of genes as per pigment production quickly responded to additional moisture during solid‐state fermentation. Moreover, acetyl‐CoA, which is a starting substrate for pigment content in red koji was increased within 3 hr after adding water. This study first described the relationship between additional moisture and expression of pigment biosynthetic genes by Monascus spp. during red koji preparation.
Aim Massa Medicata Fementata (MMF) is a crude drug used in East Asia to treat anorexia and dyspepsia. It is prepared from wheat and several herbs through microbial fermentation using Aspergillus sp. and Rhizopus sp. There is great difference in the quality of commercial MMF, and the microbes of MMF are suggested to affect its quality. We investigated the effects of microbial fermentation on the quality of MMF. Methods Raw materials of MMF were mixed according to the ratio listed in the National Standard for Chinese Patent Drugs, and MMF was prepared using pure cultures of Aspergillus oryzae or Rhizopus oryzae. Digestive enzyme activities (α‐amylase, protease, and lipase) and volatile compounds were measured using an analytical kit and GC–MS, respectively. Results Enzyme activity increased in MMF. MMF prepared with A. oryzae (MMF‐A) showed higher α‐amylase and lipase activities than that prepared with R. oryzae (MMF‐R). Protease activity was marginally higher in MMF‐R than in MMF‐A. GC–MS analysis revealed that terpenoids decreased with fermentation; however, 2,3‐butanediol, acetoin, and guaiacol were detected in MMF only. C8 compounds such as 1‐octen‐3‐ol were higher in MMF‐A than MMF‐R; however, aromatic compounds such as 4‐vinylguaiacol and pyrazines were higher in MMF‐R than MMF‐A. Conclusion Microbial fermentation contributes to increased enzyme activity and changes in MMF volatiles. These properties of MMF were considerably affected by the microbes used, and it is proposed in this study that it is important to have microbial control in the production of commercial MMF.
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