Abstract
The enzymic hydroxylation of progesterone at C-11, C-17, and C-6 with a local strain of Trichothecium roseum was investigated when the fermentation medium was supplemented with different compounds including organic acids, amino acids, vitamins, as well as some inorganic salts.
The rate of conversion of progesterone and its enzymic hydroxylation at a specific position were affected in a different manner. The addition of oxalate as well as valine and phenylalanine to the medium stimulated the substitution of progesterone at C-11 and C-17 positions. Similar results were recorded with riboflavin and nicotinic acid. The 11α-hydroxylation reaction was specifically induced with acetate and fumarate. Maximal yields of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone were obtained on the addition of ZnSO4•7H2O (0.3g/liter), FeSO4•7H2O (0.2g/liter) or CaCl2 (0.3g/liter) to the fermentation medium. In most cases, the yield of 11α-hydroxyprogesterone was slightly affected with these salts. However, the iron salt at a concentration 0.1g/liter supported the formation of 11α-hydroxyprogesterone in a relatively high yield.
The formation of dihydroxy derivatives, 11α, 17α- and 6β, 11α-dihydroxyprogesterone, under different experimental conditions is discussed.
