The Biotransformation of Some Steroids by Aspergillus Sydowii MRC 200653

Abstract

The incubation of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, progesterone and pregnenolone with Aspergillus sydowii MRC 200653 is reported. Testosterone was mainly hydroxylated at C-6β and to a minor extent at C-14α and C −15α. Most of dehydroepiandrosterone was metabolised by a 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ⁵-Δ⁴ isomerase activity and then hydroxylated at C-6β. The remaining dehydroepiandrosterone was only hydroxylated at C-7β or C-7α. Both progesterone and pregnenolone were mainly hydroxylated at C-11α and C-15β and to a minor extent at C-6β and C-7β. The same metabolites were recovered from both biotransformations.