Biotransformation of 3β-hydroxy-5-en-steroids by Mucor silvaticus

Abstract

The biotransformation of four 3β-hydroxy-5-en-steroids with varying substituents at C-16 or/and C-17 by Mucor silvaticus was investigated. The characterization of the metabolites was performed by IR, MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and 2-D NMR. All the examined substrates were transformed, mainly by 7α-hydroxylation. Studies carried out with M. silvaticus demonstrated the versatility of this organism in introducing hydroxyl groups at the 7α-, 9α-, 11α-, and 14α-positions in 3-ol-5-ene steroids. The relationships between the substrate structures and hydroxylated positions are also discussed.