Lovastatin producing by wild strain of Aspergillus terreus isolated from Brazil

Improving statins production: From non-genetic strategies to genetic strategies

Statins are lipid-lowering drugs that selectively inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, effectively reducing cholesterol synthesis. With improved nutritional conditions, the demand for statins is increasing in the global market. The use of microbial cell factories for statin biosynthesis has become advantageous due to the rapid advancements in biotechnology. These approaches offer simple operation and easy separation of products. This review provides an overview the strategies for statins production via microbial cell factories, including both traditional fermentation culture (non-genetic) and modern synthetic biology manufacture (genetic). Firstly, the complex fermentation parameters and process control technology on submerged fermentation (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) are introduced in detail. The potential use of recoverable agricultural wastes/(biomass) as a fermentation substrate in SSF for statin production is emphasized. Additionally, metabolic engineering strategies for constructing robust engineering strains and directed evolution are also discussed. The review highlights the potential and challenges of using microbial cell factories for statin production, and aims to promote greener production modes for statins.

Exploitation of Sugarcane Bagasse and Environmentally Sustainable Production, Purification, Characterization, and Application of Lovastatin by Aspergillus terreus AUMC 15760 under Solid-State Conditions

Using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for identification, three strains of Aspergillus terreus were identified and designated AUMC 15760, AUMC 15762, and AUMC 15763 for the Assiut University Mycological Centre culture collection. The ability of the three strains to manufacture lovastatin in solid-state fermentation (SSF) using wheat bran was assessed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The most potent strain was strain AUMC 15760, which was chosen to ferment nine types of lignocellulosic waste (barley bran, bean hay, date palm leaves, flax seeds, orange peels, rice straw, soy bean, sugarcane bagasse, and wheat bran), with sugarcane bagasse turning out to be the best substrate. After 10 days at pH 6.0 at 25 °C using sodium nitrate as the nitrogen source and a moisture content of 70%, the lovastatin output reached its maximum quantity (18.2 mg/g substrate). The medication was produced in lactone form as a white powder in its purest form using column chromatography. In-depth spectroscopy examination, including ¹H, ¹³C-NMR, HR-ESI-MS, optical density, and LC-MS/MS analysis, as well as a comparison of the physical and spectroscopic data with published data, were used to identify the medication. At an IC₅₀ of 69.536 ± 5.73 µM, the purified lovastatin displayed DPPH activity. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis had MICs of 1.25 mg/mL, whereas Candida albicans and Candida glabrata had MICs of 2.5 mg/mL and 5.0 mg/mL, respectively, against pure lovastatin. As a component of sustainable development, this study offers a green (environmentally friendly) method for using sugarcane bagasse waste to produce valuable chemicals and value-added commodities.

Production of Lovastatin using Liquid Cheese Whey by Fusarium nectrioides (MH173849), an Endophytic Fungi Isolated from Euphorbia hirta

Lovastatin is a naturally produced 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase enzyme inhibitor- used for treating hypercholesterolemia. It was the first statin drug which was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). In the current study, endophytic fungus Fusarium nectrioides (MH173849) isolated from Euphorbia hirta L. was used for the production of lovastatin. Four different culture media indicated as M1, M2, M3 and M4 were used for the initial production of lovastatin. Liquid cheese whey was used as nitrogen source. Growth morphology of fungi was investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis. Also, parameters like temperature, pH, inoculum size, incubation time, and RPM were optimized for the obtaining highest lovastatin production. Among the four media, M4 was found to produce the maximum concentration of lovastatin. Parameters such as temperature of 28°C, pH 6, RPM – 180 rpm and inoculum size of 5 x107 spores/mL were optimal for the production of lovastatin by F. nectrioides (MH173849).