Utilisation of vegetable oils in the production of lovastatin by Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542 in submerged cultivation

Abstract

The effect of vegetable oils as a supplementary carbon source during the production of lovastatin by Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542 in submerged culture was investigated. The six vegetable oils tested were sesame oil, sunflower oil, soya bean oil, corn oil, palm oil and olive oil. Lovastatin concentration and biomass were measured. Lovastatin production was higher in several oil-containing media compared to control medium. In particular, palm oil and soya bean oil significantly improved lovastatin production. Yields with palm oil and soya bean oil were 4.5- and 1.4-fold higher respectively, compared with control. Sesame oil and corn oil, however, had a negative effect on lovastatin production. Biomass was proportional to vegetable oil concentration, but an excessive vegetable oil concentration resulted in a lower yield of lovastatin. Thus, some vegetable oils appear to be excellent adjuvants for improving efficiency of lovastatin production.

Keywords

• lovastatin
• Aspergillus terreus
• vegetable oils
• submerged culture