Screening and Identification of Lovastatin producing endophytic fungi

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a potent risk present in the world due to modern lifestyle. It is a silent killer which will claim nearly 3.5 million lives in upcoming decade according to WHO. Lovastatin also known as ‘Merck’s Mevacor’ is an anti-cholesterol agent. Lovastatin blocks the cholesterol synthesis by acting as a competitive inhibitor of HMG – CoA reductase and thus inhibits the mevalonate pathway. However, due to limited availability of lovastatin, there is an utmost need to explore alternative natural sources to meet its scarcity. Endophytic fungi is an endosymbiont which colonize the healthy living tissues of host plant asymptomatically. Endophytic fungiare considered to be ware houses of plethora of bioactive compounds which exhibits antimicrobial, antifungal and immunosuppressive activities. The present study was based upon screening and identification of Lovastatin producing endophytic fungi. Initially, Culture filtrates of 36 Cultures isolated from Aegle marmelos, Cinnamomum sp. were screened for Lovastatin production by Lactonization assay. Out of 36 cultures, #8 AMSTYEL and #1 CMLNEY showed potential lovastatin activity. Further, crude ethyl acetate extract was resolved into 6 bands in methanol: DCM solvent system. Band 6 of crude extract was found to be exhibiting same Rf value as that of Standard Lovastatin. The concentration and further confirmation of Lovastatin production was ascertained by using HPLC. The crude EA extract was showing a peak at 2.30 min comparable to single peak of standard Lovastatin at 2.29 min. The potential endophytic fungus, #8 AMSTYEL was identified as Alternaria sp. through classical tools. ITS region of approximately 550 bp was amplified and further speciation of fungi will be deduced after analyzing sequencing data of ITS region.