Which of the following microbes is commercially exploited for the production of blood-cholesterol lowering agents?

Step-by-step solution

Statins are widely used as blood-cholesterol lowering agents. They are produced commercially by the yeast Monascus purpureus . Statins act by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol. Trichoderma polysporum produces Cyclosporin A, which is used as an immunosuppressive agent. Aspergillus niger is a fungus used for the production of citric acid. Acetobacter aceti is a bacterium used for the production of acetic acid. Answer: Monascus purpureus