Optimization of Culture Conditions for Maximal Lovastatin Production by Aspergillus terreus (KM017963) under Solid State Fermentation

Effects of various culture conditions on lovastatin production were investigated in Aspergillus terreus (KM017963) grown under solid state fermentation with wheat bran. Lovastatin production was influenced by various physical factors such as pH, temperature, and nutritional factors such as carbon, nitrogen, metal ions/salts etc. Our study established that an initial pH of 6.0, growth temperature of 28℃ - 30℃, inoculum size of 10^8 spores/mL as the optimal physiological culture conditions for maximal production of lovastatin by A. terreus (KM017963). The carbon sources, glucose or dextrin when supplemented at 3% (w/w) enhanced lovastatin production by five fold when supplemented as individual component in wheat bran. Addition of metal salts such as CuSO_4 (8%), FeSO_4 (8%), CaCl_2 (10%), NaCl (6%) and MgSO-4 (6%) enhanced the production by five fold. Supplementation with nitrogen sources, amino acids, hydrocarbons, surfactants and amino acids did not have any profound effect on lovastatin production.