NOTES ON THE SEXUAL STAGE OF MONASCUS PURPUREUS
紫红曲有性阶段的研讨

Monascus purpureus Went is notable both for its ability to synthesize some therapeutical agents and for the pigmentation which is developed from mycelium and spores dur- ing its growth.These compounds have long been used in the Orient as medicine and as food colouring matter.During the course of the present study,it is suggested that the number of spores in each ascus in 8,but the number of asci in each cleistothecium is not constant.Single ascus with eihgt ascospores was formed sporadically.Therefore the generic name Monascus (single ascus)is valid although it may be misleading sometimes.One sexual act to produce many croziers and hence cleistothecia is another conspicuous feature of this fungus.These make ascospores often outnumbering conidia in sporulation.