Question:

Monascus purpureus is a yeast used commercially in the production of which one of the following?

Show Hint

Keep a handy table of industrial microbes: - Monascus $\rightarrow$ Statins (Cholesterol lowerer) - Trichoderma $\rightarrow$ Cyclosporin A (Immunosuppressant) - Streptococcus $\rightarrow$ Streptokinase (Clot buster)
Updated On: Aug 16, 2026
  • Ethanol
  • Streptokinase
  • Citric acid
  • Statins
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Microbes play an indispensable role in industrial biotechnology for producing specialized bioactive molecules:
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yeast) $\rightarrow$ Used for fermenting sugars into Ethanol.
• Streptococcus (Bacteria) $\rightarrow$ Genetically engineered to produce Streptokinase (clot buster).
• Aspergillus niger (Fungus) $\rightarrow$ Commercially utilized for Citric acid production.
• Monascus purpureus (Yeast) $\rightarrow$ Industrially cultivated to synthesize Statins.

Step 1: Match the specific organism to its product.

The organism listed is Monascus purpureus, a species of mold-like yeast.

Step 2: Determine the physiological action of its product.

Monascus purpureus naturally produces statins. Statins act as potent blood-cholesterol lowering agents. They achieve this therapeutic effect by acting as competitive inhibitors of the enzyme responsible for endogenous cholesterol synthesis (HMG-CoA reductase).

Step 3: Confirm selection against choices.

Reviewing the options confirms that Statins is Option (D).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0