Objective: The present investigation aimed towards the strain improvement of lovastatin maximum yielding wild-type fungal strains (Aspergillus terreus-MTCC 11045, Aspergillus terreus-MTCC 11395 and Aspergillus flavus-MTCC 11396) through physical mutagenesis by applying UV random mutations.Methods: Revival of fungal cultures on PDA plates followed by a screening of their morphological and microscopic properties. Strain improvement of screened fungi by UV (255 nm) random mutagenesis, selection of mutants based on morphological variations further submerged fermentation of selected (SmF) mutants, subsequently extraction of lovastatin from the spent broth and the extracts were analyzed for the presence of lovastatin by TLC and UV spectrophotometer scans (200-300 nm).Results: Out of eighteen screened mutant samples seven showed positive results for the lovastatin production. Among these seven positive cultures, Aspergillus terreus 11045-90 found to yield the maximum amount of lovastatin (3912 mg/l).Conclusion: The present study concludes by reporting the evidence of raised in the lovastatin titre by three-fold compared to the yield of the wild-type strain (996 mg/l) and confirms the achievement of strain improvement by UV random mutagenesis.Keywords: Aspergillus terreus, Lovastatin, UV Random mutations, Strain improvement, Submerged fermentatio
