| abstract |
PURPOSE: To produce blood cholesterol lowering drug by cultivating a monacolin K-producing strain of the microoganism Monascus. n CONSTITUTION: Monascus ruber No.1005 (FERM-P4822) strain is cultivated, and the produced physiologically active substance monacolin K is isolated. The substance monacolin K is neutral and colorless crystal. The substance has molecular formula C 24 H 36 O 5 (MW=404). The elemental analysis for C 24 H 36 O 5 :C71.56%; H8.85%; O 19.59%. The substance shows a melting point of 157-159°C and an optical rotation of [α]D 25 =+307.6(c=1, in methanol). The substance is soluble in alcohol, acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform and benzene; and insoluble in hexane and petroleum ether. In chromatographic studies, silica gel thin-layer chromatography employing developer consisting of dichloromethane and acetone in a ratio of dichloromethane to acetone of 4:1 shows a single spot of R f =0.47. n COPYRIGHT: (C)1980,JPO&Japio |