Solid State Fermentation: An Effective Method for Lovastatin Production by Fungi over Submerged Fermentation

The Enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG CoA reductase) catalyses conversion of HMG CoA to mevalonate during cholesterol biosynthesis. Lovastatin is used as an anti-cholesterol drug which blocks HMG CoA reductase activity. Lovastatin has been reported to be produced by Submerged Fermentation (SmF) and Solid State Fermentation (SSF) by fungi. Of-late it is used not only as anti-cholesterol drug but as anti-inflammatory agent, cancer cell apoptosis, restoration of renal function, bone disorders treatment; immune-modulatory role is also being investigated. This review provides insight into the different lovastatin production strategies employed by SSF, its advantages over SmF, optimisation parameters, lovastatin genetics etc

Endophytic Fungi: A Poor Candidate for the Production of Lovastatin

Aim: The aim of the present study was to screen soil and endophytic fungi for production oflovastatin.Methodology: Soil fungi were isolated by dilution plating technique and endophytic fungi from selected medicinal plants by using standard procedures. All isolates were tested for lovastatin production by Solid State Fermentation (SSF) using wheat bran as substrate.Results: The soil isolate, Aspergillus terreus NCBI (KM017963) showed positive for lovastatin (1.0 mg/G DWS) whereas none of the endophytic fungi tested showedpositivefor lovastatin production

Complete Genome Sequence of Soil Fungus Aspergillus terreus (KM017963), a Potent Lovastatin Producer

We report the complete genome of Aspergillus terreus (KM017963), a tropical soil isolate. The genome sequence is 29 Mb, with a G+C content of 51.12%. The genome sequence of A. terreus shows the presence of the complete gene cluster responsible for lovastatin (an anti-cholesterol drug) production in a single scaffold (1.16)

Lovastatin Production by Aspergillus terreus (KM017963) in Submerged and Solid State Fermentation: A Comparative Study

Lovastatin (C24H36O5) is a fungal secondary metabolite that inhibits conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) to mevalonate in cholesterol biosynthesis. Lovastatin producing fungus Aspergillus terreus was grown in Solid State Fermentation (SSF) with various agro based wastes and in Submerged Fermentation (SmF) to evaluate the suitable growth medium for maximum production of lovastatin. Eighty three agro based substrates and six different types of SmF media were used for the production. Wheat bran and sprouted wheat were suitable substrates for lovastatin production yielding1.00 mg/G DWS and 1.311 mg/DWS of lovastatin, respectively. None of the SmF medium was found to be suitable for lovastatin production, although all media supported growth of the fungus

Complete Genome Sequence of the Endophytic Fungus Diaporthe (Phomopsis) ampelina

Diaporthe ampelina was isolated as an endophytic fungus from the root of Commiphora wightii, a medicinal plant collected from Dhanvantri Vana, Bangalore University, Bangalore, India. The whole genome is 59 Mb, contains a total of 905 scaffolds, and has a G+C content of 51.74%. The genome sequence of D. ampelina shows a complete absence of lovastatin (an anticholesterol drug) gene cluster

Utilisation of High Energy Propellant Waste in Manufacturing of Fired Clay Bricks to Enhance the Acoustic Properties

The disposal and waste management of solid high energy propellant (HEP) is a considerate conservational problem. HEP waste is currently disposed in open or confined burning which may cause environmental hazards. In this paper, we examined and discussed results on recycling of HEP waste into fired clay bricks baked in different orientation. HEP modified bricks with 1.5%, 3% and 5 wt. % HEP waste content were manufactured and tested, and then compared against virgin clay bricks without HEP content. The effect of directional orientation of bricks baked with varying HEP content on acoustic properties were experimented and discussed. The sound transmission loss decreases with increase in HEP waste due to formation of independently closed directional pores. The transmission loss of horizontally baked during firing of bricks is nearly 5dB lower than vertically baked bricks. Results of the experimental studies indicate that HEP waste can be utilised in fired clay bricks and different orientation baking further enhances the acoustic properties

Comparative Study on Whole Genome Sequences of Aspergillus terreus (Soil Fungus) and Diaporthe ampelina (Endophytic Fungus) with Reference to Lovastatin Production

Lovastatin is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) in cholesterol biosynthetic pathway and hence used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. In a previous study, we report a tropical soil isolate, Aspergillus terreus (KM017963), which produces ample amount of lovastatin than its counterpart that are endophytic in origin. Bioinformatic analysis of whole genome sequence of A. terreus (AH007774.1), a soil isolate revealed the presence of gene cluster (AF141924.1 & AF141925.1) responsible for lovastatin production, whereas endophytic fungi including a strain of A. terreus showed no homology with the lovastatin gene cluster. The molecular study was also carried out targeting PCR amplification of the two important genes, lovE (a regulatory gene) and lovF (transcriptional regulatory factor) in genomic and c-DNA of soil and endophytic fungi. Expression of the two genes was successful in A. terreus (KM017963), whereas the same was not achieved in endophytic fungi. To further validate our above findings, in the present study, the whole genome sequencing of A. terreus and a selected endophytic fungus, Diaporthe ampelina (Phomopsis) was performed. Lovastatin gene cluster, when aligned on the consensus sequence of both genomes, the entire lovastatin gene cluster was detected in a single scaffold (1.16) of A.terreus genome. On the contrary, there was a complete absence of lovastatin gene cluster in the genome of D. ampelina (an endophyte). The probable reasons for the absence of lovastatin gene cluster in endophytic fungi are discussed

Solid state fermentation: An effective method for lovastatin production by fungi-a mini review

Lovastatin, an anti-cholesterol drug, is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG CoA reductase) that catalyses conversion of HMG CoA to mevalonate involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Lovastatin does not only find a role as anti-cholesterol agent but also plays a key role as an anti-inflammatory agent, cancer cell apoptosis, renal function restoration, treatment for bone disorders etc. Production of statins has been undertaken by Submerged Fermentation (SmF) and Solid State Fermentation (SSF) by using fungi. In view of the advantages of SSF over SmF, the focus has shifted to production by SSF in recent years. The use of various agro based wastes as substrates has been proven. With recent developments in molecular biology and genome studies it has been able to decode genetic aspects of lovastatin gene expression levels. This review gives an insight into works reported on lovastatin production by SSF, various substrates employed, mutation studies, optimisation parameters, molecular studies and medical application of lovastatin. © Praveen and Savitha

Metal biosorption by Helminthosporium solani - a simple microbiological technique to remove metal from e-waste

Electronic waste (e-waste) or Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) as it is popularly called includes used, obsolete or damaged electronic and electrical equipments and other such scrap. Recycling of WEEE has emerged as a lucrative business as these products are stripped down to obtain valuable metals like platinum, gold and copper. The rest of the waste is discarded in an unsafe manner which could cause ecotoxicity