SCREENING FUNGI FOR THE PRODUCTION OF AN INHIBITOR OF HMG COA REDUCTASE - PRODUCTION OF MEVINOLIN BY THE FUNGI OF THE GENUS PLEUROTUS

We have tested 380 strains of our Fungal Culture Collection (MZKIBK), for the activity of the inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase, mevinolin. All fungal strains were cultivated in a two-step submerged fermentation o n selected substrates. For the first screening, samples of broth extra cts were tested by TLC and positive results were further evaluated by HPLC analysis. In addition to already known microbial producers of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors and some newly identified strains having mod erate activity, we found that fungi of the basidiomycetous genus Pleur otus, especially species P. ostreatus, P. saca and P. sapidus, are an as yet unknown but promising source of the hypocholesterolaemic agent.