Statins are blood cholesterol lowering agents produced from the yeast Monascus pupureus

Blood cholesterol lowering agents (statins) and their production

Introduction:
Statins are a class of drugs that are used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. They are the most commonly used drugs for this purpose, and are highly effective at reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Statins are produced by a number of different companies around the world, and are available under a variety of brand names.

Production:
Statins are produced by a process called fermentation. This process involves the use of microorganisms such as fungi, yeast, or bacteria to produce the drug. The microorganisms are grown in large vats, and are fed a mixture of nutrients that allow them to grow and produce the desired compound.

Isolation:
Once the microorganisms have produced the statin, it must be isolated and purified. This involves separating the drug from the other compounds produced by the microorganisms, and removing any impurities that may be present.

Chemical synthesis:
Statins can also be produced by chemical synthesis. This involves starting with simple chemicals, and using a series of chemical reactions to build up the desired compound. Chemical synthesis is often used for the production of newer, more complex statins that are not yet available through fermentation.

Conclusion:
Statins are highly effective drugs for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, and are produced by a variety of different companies around the world. They are produced by fermentation or chemical synthesis and are purified to remove impurities.