Collection of Czechoslovak Chemical Communications - digital archive 

Abstract

Biotransformations of epiandrosterone (1), dehydroepiandrosterone (2), testosterone (3), progesterone (4) and pregnenolone (5) by Aspergillus tamarii MRC 72400 for 5 days have been reported and the results of these incubations have been compared with previously published data obtained with Aspergillus tamarii QM 1223. A. tamarii MRC 72400 showed higher Bayer–Villiger monooxygenase activities than A. tamarii QM 1223 did. Apart from pregnenolone (5), A. tamarii MRC 72400 metabolized these steroids in different ways. Incubation of epiandrosterone (1) afforded 3β,11β-dihydroxy-5α-androstan-17-one (6) (3%) and 3β-hydroxy-17a-oxa-D-homo-5α-androstan-17-one (7) (9.5%). Incubation of dehydroepiandrosterone (2) afforded 3β-hydroxy-17a-oxa-D-homoandrost-5-en-17-one (8) (28%), testolactone (9) (6%), 3β,7β-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (10) (13%) and 3β,7α-dihydroxy- androst-5-en-17-one (11) (24%). Incubation of testosterone (3) afforded testolactone (9) (58%). Incubation of progesterone (4) also afforded testolactone (9), however in higher yield (86%). Incubation of pregnenolone (5) afforded 3β-hydroxy-17a-oxa-D-homoandrost-5-en-17-one (8) (25%) and testolactone (9) (27%).

Keywords: Steroids; Biotransformation; Biocatalysis; Aspergillus tamarii; Baeyer–Villiger oxidation.

References: 32 live references.