ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

In situ bioconversion of compactin to pravastatin by Actinomadura species in fermentation broth of Penicillium citrinum

Ajaz Ahmad, Mohd Mujeeb, Rohit Kapoor, and Bibhu Prasad Panda

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

E-mail: bibhu_panda31@rediffmail.com

Abstract: The biocatalytic production of pravastatin from compactin by hydroxylation has found many applications in health care and pharmaceuticals. Actinomadura macra, Actinomadura madurae, and Actinomadura livida can efficiently bioconvert compactin to pravastatin. The fermentation broth (Penicillium citrinum fermented media) harvested on the eighth day contained 388.90 mg L⁻¹ of compactin and an undetectable level of mycotoxin (citrinin). Bioconversion by A. macra was highest (87 %) in the yeast extract-amended medium. The anti-actinomadura effects of citrinin reduce the bioconversion capacity of Actinomadura. The in situ hydroxylation of compactin produced by P. citrinum represents a preferable alternative for the use of purified compactin, as a way to reduce cost and time processing.

Keywords: Actinomadura sp. – P. citrinum – compactin – pravasatin – in situ bioconversion

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.2478/s11696-013-0323-y

Chemical Papers 67 (6) 667–671 (2013)