Microbial transformation of some steroids by Penicillium brevicompactum MRC 500586

Abstract In this work, the incubations of androstenedione 1, testosterone 2 and progesterone 3 with Penicillium brevicompactum MRC 500586 have been reported. P. brevicompactum MRC 500586 showed high Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenase activities on all substrates, accompanied by low 5α-reductase activities. Incubation of androstenedione 1 with P. brevicompactum MRC 500586 gave 17α-oxa-D-homo-5α-androstan-3,17-dione 4 (7%) and 17α-oxa-D-homo-androst-4-en-3,17-dione 5 (85%). Incubation of testosterone 2 with P. brevicompactum MRC 500586 gave androstenedione 1 (3%), 17α-oxa-D-homo-5α-androstan-3,17-dione 4 (5%) and 17α-oxa-D-homo-androst-4-en-3,17-dione 5 (80%). Incubation of progesterone 3 with P. brevicompactum MRC 500586 gave 17α-oxa-D-homo-5α-androstan-3,17-dione 4 (4%) and 17α-oxa-D-homo-androst-4-en-3,17-dione 5 (82%).