Biotransformation of steroids by Thielaviopsis paradoxa

BIOT 244

Floyd Alexander Russell, floyd.russell@uwimona.edu.jm, Department of Chemistry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica and Paul B. Reese, pbreese@uwimona.edu.jm, Department of Chemistry, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.
The biotransformation potential of Thielaviopsis paradoxa, a pathogen of coconuts, was investigated using steroid substrates. Incubation of the fungus with prednisone and cortisone resulted in the reduction of the C-20 ketone. Testosterone afforded two products of transformation, i.e. reduction of the 4,5-double bond and oxidation of the C-17 alcohol. With dehydroepiandrosterone, reduction of the C-17 ketone and hydroxylation at C-7 occurred. Biotransformation of progesterone resulted in degradation of the C-17 side chain and reduction of the 4,5-double bond. Pregnenolone underwent Baeyer-Villiger oxidation in ring D while the 17-ketone in estrone was reduced. All biotransformation reactions were carried out in a modified Salmink medium, shaking at 200 rpm for 10 days.
 

Poster Session
5:30 PM-7:30 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Division of Biochemical Technology

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007