Studies on mevinolin production by some fungi

The potentiality of 25 fungal species, belonging to fourteen genera isolated from Egyptian soils, to produce mevinolin, a hypocholesterolaemic agent, when grown on selected substrates was tested. Samples of culture filtrates were tested by thin layer chromatography and the positive results were further assessed by high pressure liquid chromatography analysis. It was found that nearly one-third of the fungi showed positive results for production of mevinolin. Aspergillus terreus was distinguished by its capacity to produce mevinolin when cultivated on selected media. Some factors influencing mevinolin production and the growth of A. terreus were also studied. The maximal mevinolin yields were achieved after 8 days incubation at 30 degrees C. An initial pH value of 5-6 was the optimum for growth of A. terreus and mevinolin production.