MICROBIOLOGICAL HYDROXYLATION OF STEROIDS

III. HYDROXYLATION OF PROGESTERONE BY SYNCEPHALASTRUM SP. (1)

Abstract

Syncephalastrum sp. was found to be capable of oxidizing progesterone to form dihydroxyprogesterone requiring a short period of incubation while trihydroxyprogesterone required a long period. These results indicated that steroids are able to be hydroxylated to trihydroxy compounds by one microorganism. The best result in oxidation was obtained by the addition of 100mg of progesterone to 100ml of the medium, dissolved in 2ml of methanol.