Optimization of lovastatin production in submerged fermentation by Monascus purpureus

Lovastatin is a potent agent for lowering cholesterol of blood. Since one of the main reasons of mortality in developing countries is cardiovascular disease، which is caused by precipitation of fatty acid (especially cholesterol) in blood vessels; therefore diets containing lovastatin may prevent this type of disease. In this study، Lovastatin، monacolin K or competitive inhibitor of the HMG-CoA reductase (operative enzyme for cholesterol synthesis) was produced by submerged fermentation using Monascus purpureus PTCC5303. Seven chemical and nutritional parameters including maltose، peptone، MgSO4. 7H2O، MnSO4. H2O، KH2PO4، thiamin and pH screened using Plackett Burman experimental design for monacolin production. Among different parameters، maltose and MgSO4. 7H2O showed significant effect on biomass and monacolin production. The concentration of these agents were optimized using response surface methodology for lovastatin production in the shaker flask. The optimized medium contained 26 g/L maltose، 5 g/L peptone، 0. 1 g/L MgSO4. 7H2O، MnSO4. H2O 0. 5 g/L، 4 g/L KH2PO4، Vitamin B1 0. 1 g/L and pH 7. After 10 days of fermentation in the shaker flask with 130 rpm agitation and 30 ºC، we achieved maximum lovastatin production which was 63 mg/l.