Which of the following options is a commercially available agent used for lowering blood cholesterol levels?

Statin

The correct answer is Option (1) -Statin

Statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus have indeed been commercialized as blood-cholesterol lowering agents.

By reducing cholesterol synthesis and increasing its removal from the bloodstream, statins effectively lower the overall cholesterol levels in the blood. This has proven to be beneficial for individuals with high cholesterol levels, as it can help to prevent or manage conditions such as cardiovascular diseases.

It's worth noting that while statins produced by Monascus purpureus have been successful as blood-cholesterol lowering agents, most commercially available statins are now produced synthetically using chemical methods. Nevertheless, the initial discovery and commercialization of statins as cholesterol-lowering drugs can be attributed to the study of Monascus purpureus and its natural production of statins.

In summary, statins produced by the yeast Monascus purpureus act by competitively inhibiting the enzyme responsible for cholesterol synthesis, leading to a reduction in blood cholesterol levels and providing therapeutic benefits for individuals with high cholesterol.