Transformation of chenodeoxycholic acid by thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus

Abstract

We performed a series of experiments with Geobacillus stearothermophilus, a thermophile isolated from oil-contaminated soil in the Kuwaiti desert. The organism has a good potential for the transformation of a broad spectrum of organic molecules such as steroids, amino acids, and aromatic hydrocarbons. In the present study, we tested its potential for the transformation of a bile component, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). Five transformed products, namely, cholic acid, methylcholate, methylchenodeoxycholate, 3α-hydroxy-7-oxo-5β-cholanic acid, and 7α-hydroxy-3-oxo-5β-cholanic acid, were the major transformation products catalyzed by G. stearothermophilus. Under aerobic conditions, no evidence of side chain degradation, ring cleavage, or dehydrogenation was found among the metabolites of CDCA. CDCA transformation by a thermophile is reported for the first time.

16α-Hydroxycholic Acid: In Vivo Microbial Transformation Product of Cholic Acid

“…We have studied Geobacillus stearothermophilus, a thermophile, isolated from oil contaminated soil in Kuwait for the past several years and have shown its inordinate potential for the transformation of steroid hormones, bile acids (chenodeoxycholic acid) and aromatic amino acids [41][42][43][44][45][46]. Here, we extend our studies to report transformation of cholic acid catalyzed by G. stearothermophilus.…”

Synergistic and concentration-dependent toxicity of multiple heavy metals compared with single heavy metals in Conocarpus lancifolius

“…The soil in Kuwait, in which C. lancifolius naturally grows and thrives, is moderately alkaline. In addition, Kuwait desert temperatures range from 10 to 50°C, and higher temperatures have been shown to help thermophilic bacteria and fungi thrive and produce antioxidant enzymes; an example of this is the SOD isolated from the thermophilic Geobacillus stearothermophilus (Gligic et al 2000 ; Afzal et al 2011 ). The soil in Kuwait is known to contain a diversity of thermophilic and moderately thermophilic bacteria, in the genera Amycolatopsis , Chelativorans , Isoptericola , Nocardia , Aeribacillus , Aneurinibacillus , Brevibacillus , Geobacillus , Kocuria , Marinobacter , and Paenibacillus (Al-Mailem et al 2015 ).…”