Optimization of
Single-step Pravastatin Production by Penicillium brefeldianum ESF21P through Response
Surface Methodology
Seydametova E., Zainol N. and Convey P.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 18(3); 49-56;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/1803rjbt49056; (2023)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to optimize the fermentation process for enhanced
production of pravastatin by a wild-type Penicillium brefeldianum ESF21P strain
using statistical approaches. Initial screening of significant variables influencing
pravastatin production was carried out using 27-3 fractional factorial design. The
seven variables involved in this study were slant age, spore concentration, inoculum
volume, fermentation time, temperature, initial pH of the medium and agitation rate.
Amongst these, slant age, fermentation time, initial pH of the medium and agitation
rate had significant influences on pravastatin accumulation. These four variables
were further optimized using the central composite rotatable design of response
surface methodology.
The analysis revealed that the optimal values of the selected variables were a slant
age of 5.95 days, fermentation time of 11.87 days, initial pH of the medium of 6.13
and agitation rate of 211.31 rpm (rounded to 210 rpm). These optimized conditions
resulted in a maximum level of pravastatin accumulation (234.36 mg/L), approaching
the value predicted by the model of 251.19 mg/L. This study confirmed that statistical
approaches can be successfully applied as practical tools in improving single-step
production of pravastatin by Penicillium brefeldianum ESF21P.
