The spirosolane side chain of solasodine has been cleaved by cholesterol preinduced Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B‐3805 to yield 1‐androstene‐3,17‐dione (AD), a key intermediate for the synthesis of androgenic drugs. Conversion up to 34% has been recorded in shake flask culture after 192 h incubation period using dimethyl‐formamide as carrier for solasodine addition.
Bioconversion of 16-dehydropregnenolone acetate (16-DPA) to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD), an intermediate for the production of female sex hormones, by mixed culture of Pseudomonas diminuta MTCC 3361 and Comamonas acidovorans MTCC 3362 is reported. Various physicochemical parameters for the bioconversion of 16-DPA to ADD have been optimized in shake flask cultures. Nutrient broth inoculated with actively growing co-culture proved ideal for bacterial growth and bioconversion. A temperature range of 35-40 degrees C was most suitable; higher or lower temperatures adversely affected the bioconversion. Dimethylformamide below 2% concentration was the most suitable carrier solvent. Maximum conversion was recorded at 0.5 mg mL(-1) 16-DPA. A pH of 5.0 yielded a peak conversion of 62 mol % in 120 h incubation period. Addition of 9alpha-hydroxylase inhibitors failed to prevent further breakdown of ADD to nonsteroidal products. 16-DPA conversion in a 5 L fermenter followed a similar trend.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.