Side-chain degradation of phytosterols using ommobilized cells of a local culture of fusarium solani

In view of the paucity of knowledge on the microbial side chain degradation of some phytosterols in favour of the formation of 1,4- androstenedione and 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione [AD and ADD] by immobilized cells, the present work described a successful conversion of beta-sitosterol and the total sterols of sunflower oil to AD and ADD. Best conversion estimates [40.64,. 12.3% and 39.43, 10.43% for both AD and ADD] were achieved on performing the process in laboratory stirred fermentor using the fungal cells immobilized on agar agar [4%] at aeration rate equivalent to 1 v/v/min, cell loading 5.7 g% and 1 cm2 bead size

Studies on the induction and properties of 11-a-hydroxylasse from aspergillus nidulans

The induced cells of Aspergillus nidulans were homogenized with alumina and centrifuged for obtaining 11-alpha-hydroxylase. The results showed that the maximum 11-alpha-hydroxyprogetreone yield [98.5%] was obtained by using phosphate buffer at pH 7, transformation time 2 hr, at 35C, enzyme ratio [1:20] and Km value 6.15 mg/100 ml. The effect of some activators and inhibitors on 11-alpha-hydroxylase activity were also investigated. While, Mg+2, Co+2, Fe+2 and chloramphenicol appeared to be good inducers and Zn+2, Hg+2 and cyclohexamide showed different inhibitory effects. The 11-alpha- hydroxylase enzyme produced by A. nidulans was observed to be NADPH dependent