Statins

Direct extraction with decanters from GEA Westfalia Separator plays an important role in spheres other than obtaining antibiotics. High-tech drugs such as the so-called statins are also obtained by this method.

 

In pharmacology, a statin is a drug belonging to the class of substances known as HMG-oA-reductase inhibitors. As HMG-CoA is an intermediate of human cholesterol synthesis, statins such as Lovastatin are used primarily as cholesterollowering agents (CSE inhibitors). In addition to fat metabolism disorders, statins are also successfully used to treat diseases of our modern society such as diabetes (Pravastatin) or fungal infections (Nystatin).

 

GEA Westfalia Separator has developed extraction decanters and polishing separators which can be used to obtain these statins particularly economically by direct extraction.

 

Under the effect of statins such as Lovastatin, the human body produces less cholesterol. The relative lack of cholesterol means that higher numbers of LDL receptors are formed in the cells; these absorb LDL (low-density lipoprotein) from the blood, rendering it harmless. LDL is considered the most important factor in damage due to an excessively high cholesterol level.

 

Lovastatin was licensed as a cholesterol-lowering agent as long ago as 1987 and since then has been one of the most important drugs of this kind. The flow chart shows the complex process involved in the direct extraction of Lovastatin from the fermentation broth. Extraction decanters operated on the counter-current principle are used in four consecutive stages.

 

A polishing separator obtains the enriched extract. The machines are designed to be gas-tight in accordance with current explosion protection guidelines, with the result that they satisfy all safety specifications. This versatile process can be used in a similar way to obtain Pravastatin and Nystatin.