Lovastatin Production by Wild Eurotium cristatum Isolated from Fuzhuan Brick Tea Produced Using Forest Resources in Auhua

Fuzhuan brick tea is a dark tea produced using tea plant leaves, and its quality is strongly affected by Eurotium cristatum. The superior Eurotium cristatum strain could enhance functional components in Fuzhuan brick tea, improving its quality and economic value. To research the lipid-lowering substance of Eurotium cristatum in Fuzhuan brick tea from Anhua country tea production area, several wild-type Eurotium cristatum strains were screened for lovastatin production. Of all 20 wild-type strains, 6 Eurotium cristatum strains could produce lovastatin, and the H20 test strain could produce the highest lovastatin. The organ of lovastatin production was studied, and its yield in sexual propagule (ascospore and ascocarp) was the highest. Some fermentation parameters for lovastatin produced by the H20 strain were researched, and the optimum condition, such as PDA medium containing additional 8% soluble starch, 32 & DEG;C, and 120 r/min, are reported. These results are promising for developing one Fuzhuan brick tea with a high lipid-lowering function and expanding the scope of tea plant forest resource application.

Automated summary

Fuzhuan brick tea, a type of dark tea made from tea leaves, has its quality influenced by Eurotium cristatum. Certain strains of Eurotium cristatum can enhance the functional components in Fuzhuan brick tea, improving its quality and economic value. In this study, 20 wild-type strains were screened, and 6 strains were found to produce lovastatin, with the H20 strain having the highest production. The highest yield of lovastatin was found in the sexual propagule, and the optimal fermentation conditions were determined for lovastatin production by the H20 strain. These findings have great potential for developing Fuzhuan brick tea with a high lipid-lowering function and expanding the use of tea plant forest resources.