Optimization of lovastatin production by Aspergillus terreus ATCC 10020 using solid-state fermentation and its pharmacological applications

Abstract Lovastatin is a potent hypocholesteremic drug. In this study lovastatin production from Aspergillus terreus ATCC 10020 was optimized using solid state fermentation with wheat bran. Incubation time, incubation temperature, initial moisture content, inoculum size, pH, and nitrogen source were screened for their effect on lovastatin production using a Plackett-Burman design. Among the tested parameters, pH and moisture content had significant effects (p