Biosynthesis of Lovastatin, an Anti-cholesterol Drug by Aspergillus wentii NCIM 661 from Palm Kernel Cake via Solid-state Fermentation

Over the past few years, the utilization of various agricultural residual wastes for the production of bioactive metabolites of industrial significance has been increased under solid-state fermentation in converting waste to wealth. In this context, present investigation presents the biosynthesis of an anti-cholesterol drug, lovastatin from palm kernel cake (PKC), a by-product obtained during the palm oil processing as a potential substrate, using Aspergillus wentii NCIM 661 under solid state fermentation (SSF). All the crucial process parameters such as initial moisture content, pH, incubation temperature, fermentation time and the effect of additional nutritional sources were optimized using single-parameter optimization to enhance the lovastatin production. A yield of 2.71 mg of lovastatin per gram dry substrate was obtained with palm kernel cake under the optimized fermentation parameters respectively. This study successfully and productively utilized both the agro-waste and fungal strain for the biosynthesis of lovastatin at their best and demonstrated the feasibility of solid-state fermentation for the commercial production of metabolites with therapeutic significance. Findings from this study are very much promising for the economic utilization and value addition of these important agro residues, which are abundantly available in many developing countries like India.