Steroid transformations with Exophiala jeanselmei var. lecanii-corni and Ceratocystis paradoxa.

ABSTRACT

The fungi Exophiala jeanselmei var. lecanii-corni [IMI (International Mycological Institute) 312989, UAMH (University of Alberta Microfungus Collection and Herbarium) 8783] and Ceratocystis paradoxa (IMI 374529, UAMH 8784) have been examined for their potential in steroid biotransformation. The study has determined that E. jeanselmei var. lecanii-corni effected overall anti-Markovnikov hydration on dehydroisoandrosterone, and side-chain degradation on a variety of pregnanes. Both ascomycetes were found to carry out redox reactions of alcohols and ketones as well as 1,4 reduction of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl systems.