Optimization of process variables for increased production of lovastatin in Aspergillus terreus PU-PCSIR1 and its characterization.

During intrinsic cholesterol formation 3-hydroxy-3-methylgutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) converts HMGCoA to mevalonate, in biosynthetic cascade of cholesterol. Statins, competitive inhibitors of HMGCR, now-a-days commonly used to lower the blood-cholesterol level in the hyper-cholesterolemic patients. Lovastatin, one of the most potent natural statins, was produced from wild-type indigenous isolate Aspergillus terreus PU-PCSIR-1, through solid state fermentation (SSF). This study was carried out to investigate different parameters influencing lovastatin production such as pH, carbon source, nitrogen source and media components etc. Each parameter was investigated separately to optimize lovastatin production. Maximum yield of 2860mg/Kg of total lovastatin, comprising 1700 and 1160mg/Kg of hydroxy and lactone forms respectively, was achieved after incubating for 14 days, pH 5.5 and at 28°C. The integrity of biotechnologically-produced lovastatin was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Lovastatin was purified by preparative HPLC, and was characterized by FT-IR and LC-MS analyses. The study revealed that A. terreus PU-PCSIR-1 has been proved to be a potent strain for the production of lovastatin that has great pharmaceutical and commercial applications.