Monascus

Monascus
Monascus purpureus being used to make red rice wine
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Eurotiomycetes
Order: Eurotiales
Family: Aspergillaceae
Genus: Monascus
Tiegh. (1884)
Type species
Monascus ruber
Synonyms
  • Allescheria Sacc. & P.Syd. (1899)
  • Backusia Thirum., M.D.Whitehead & P.N.Mathur (1965)
  • Eurotiella Lindau (1900)
  • Eurotiopsis Costantin ex Laborde (1897)
  • Physomyces Harz (1890)

Monascus is a genus of mold. Among the known species of this genus, the red-pigmented Monascus purpureus is among the most important because of its use in the production of certain fermented foods in East Asia, particularly China and Japan.