MICROBIAL HYDROXYLATION OF SOME STEROIDS BY Aspergillus wentii MRC 200316

Biotransformations of epiandrosterone (1), dehydroepiandrosterone (2) and pregnenolone (3) by Aspergillus wentii MRC 200316 for 5 days have been reported. Incubation of epiandrosterone (1) afforded 11 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione (4) and 3 beta,11 alpha-dihydroxy-5 alpha- androstan-17-one (5). Incubation of dehydroepiandrosterone (2) afforded 3 beta,7 alpha-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (6) and 3 beta,7 alpha-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (7). Incubation of pregnenolone (3) afforded only 11 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (8)