Biotransformation of progesterone to 14α-hydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione, a novel fungal metabolite, by Colletotrichum antirrhini

Abstract

The fermentation of progesterone by Colletotrichum antirrhini SC 2144 was examined. Instead of 15α-hydroxyprogesterone, the reported product, this fungus converted progesterone to androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, androsta-1,4-diene-3.17-dione, 14α-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, 11α-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, 14α-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, and a hitherto undescribed compound, 14α -hydroxypregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione.