2.2. Sample collection
Soybean germ (from a soybean variety of Zhongdou-27) was
purchased from Jiusan Oil and Fat Chemical Factory in Heilongjiang province of China). The soybean germ was selected
again to pick out the cotyledon, seed coat and broken germ, then
dried at 40 C under vacuum condition for 6 h. It was stored at
25 C in sealed and dry condition for use. Yongchun Monascus aged
vinegar without sterilization was kindly provided by Fujian
Yongchun Shundetang Food Co., Ltd. (Fujian province, China).