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-6 beta and to a minor extent at C-14 alpha and C-15 alpha. Most of dehydroepiandrosterone was metabolised by a 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta(5)-Delta(4) isomerase activity and then hydroxylated at C-6 beta. The remaining dehydroepiandrosterone was only hydroxylated at C-7 beta or C-7 alpha. Both progesterone and pregnenolone were mainly hydroxylated at C-11 alpha and C-15 beta and to a minor extent at C-6 beta and C-7 beta. The same metabolites were recovered from both biotransformations.