Lovastatin is a statin used to treat hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). It is produced by several medicinal non-pathogenic fungi, including Monascus purpureus (MP). While CVDs account for a high percentage of deaths in Iran, few studies have investigated lovastatin production in the country. This study aimed to examine the semi-industrial production of lovastatin from MP by controlling the amount of mycotoxin citrinin. Eleven treatments containing varying levels of several sources of carbon, nitrogen, and several physical factors of the fungus culture medium were tested simultaneously using a Plackett–Burman screening design. Building on Pareto chart, the Plackett–Burman test determined the contribution of each factor to the production of lovastatin and mycotoxin citrinin. As a carbon source, higher barley concentration increased lovastatin production. Lovastatin production required an increased aeration rate with a further rise in barley content. The maximum production of lovastatin (318 mg/L) and lower content of mycotoxin citrinin (48 ppb) occurred under optimized conditions (20 g/L of barley and 8 L/min of aeration). Barley and aeration rates contributed significantly to higher lovastatin and lower mycotoxin citrinin production. These findings can be used in the semi-industrial production of lovastatin with low levels of mycotoxin citrinin (less than the allowable limit).

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