Production of lovastatin by solid state fermentation of carob (Ceratoniasiliqua) pods using Aspergillus terreus KLVB 28

Lovastatin (mevinolin) is a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy 3-methyl glutryl coenzyme A reductase, a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. We studied lovastatin production by Aspergillus terreus KLVB 28 strain employing solid state fermentation of deseeded carob pods. Highest yield (289.63 µg g⁻¹ DW) of lovastatin was obtained at moisture content 65%, pH 4.5, temperature 35°C, inoculum size 1x10⁸ spores mL⁻¹, particle size 2 mm and bed depth 2 cm.