Monascus purpureus strain:M3103 Raw sequence reads. Monascus purpureus strain:M3103

Monascus spp. and its secondary metabolites have been widely applied in foods and medicines for thousands of years in eastern Asia. Nitrogen source is an essential nutrient for Monascus growth and metabolism. Our previous study found that inorganic nitrogen source (especially NH4Cl and NH4NO3) promoted the biosynthesis of Monascus pigments (MPs) and inhibited the production of citrinin. The objective of present study was to investigate the regulatory mechanism of inorganic nitrogen on the biosynthesis of pigments and citrinin in Monascus purpureus M3103 by comparative transcriptional approach (RNA sequencing combined with RT-qPCR).