[Classification of Streptomyces strain Z314 and purification of its product pravastatin].

Actinomycete strain Z314 with the capability of converting compactin to pravastatin was isolated from soil samples. Based on the results of morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic characteristics and 16S rRNA analysis, strain Z314 was placed within the genus Streptomyces and identified as the species Streptomyces xanthochromogenes. The production of pravastatin reached 1580 mg/L under optimized feeding of compactin, and the conversion rate was 49.45%. With the efficient purification system by fibrin column, macroporous adsorption resin and high performance liquid chromatography, pravastatin was purified from the culture supernatant with an overall recovery of 45.06% and purity of 99.02%. It is the first report in the world to produce pravastatin by converting compactin using Streptomyces xanthochromogenes under optimized conditions, the conversion of compactin to pravastatin was higher than other methods reported. The recovery and purity were improved by the three-step purification of pravastatin from the culture supernatant.