ENZYMIC HYDROXYLATION AND SIDE-CHAIN DEGRADATION OF PROGESTERONE BY ASPERGILLUS FISCHERI

Abstract

The enzymic transformation of progesterone with Aspergillus fischeri led to the formation of 11α-hydroxyprogesterone, 6β, 11α- dihydroxyprogesterone, Δ⁴-androstene-3, 17-dione, testosterone, and testololactone. The transformation pattern of progesterone by this organism appeared to be unaffected by the composition of the fermentation medium employed, although a considerable variation in the yield of each product was recorded in each experimental treatment. The sequence of the formation of different transformation products was studied by allowing the fermentation to proceed for different time intervals. Different derivatives of progesterone were used as substrates in a trial to investigate the pathways of progesterone transformation by the experimental organism. A scheme is put forward summarizing these reactions.