OBJECTIVETo establish an effective way for rapid identification of Monascus strains based on DNA molecular marker.

METHODA random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker named F421 in genomic DNA of Monascus F strain was observed during a comparison of DNA fingerprints derived from 10 cultivated strains of Monascus. F421 was cloned and sequenced. Comparing the sequence of F421 (GenBank accession number EF063107) with other relative sequences in the GenBank databases, no distinct comparability was found. A pair of sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) primers were designed based on the sequence of the cloned fragment and tested for the specific detection of Monascus F.

RESULTThe results of polymerase chain reaction showed that only a 421bp segment of Monascus F strain was amplified compared with other 9 cultivated strains of Monascus. And the acquired SCAR marker of strain F could be used as a specific DNA fingerprint to identify Monascus strain F within one day.

CONCLUSIONSCAR molecular marker technology is an effective new way to identify Monascus strains more rapidly. And also is an assistant tool to identify Monascus strains more accurately when disagreements come out using traditional classification. It could be applied widely to the protection of germ plasm resources, classification and identification distinguishing false strains of pharmaceutical fungi.