Procedure for isolation and purification of lovastatin.

Process for the isolation and purification of lovastatin. The method comprises (i) separating lovastatin from a fermentation broth before addition of solvents, by adjusting to pH acid fermentation broth to precipitate the lovastatin; (Ii) extracting lovastatin with methylene chloride; (Iii) concentrating the lovastatin; (Iv) crystallizing the crude lovastatin xylene; and (v) purifying crude lovastatin. The method allows to obtain a high yield and lovastatin wealth, suitable for pharmaceutical use.