1- Dehydrogenation of cortisol with bacteria I- Screening experiments and some physiological studies

The efficiency of different bacterial strains belong to; Arthrobacter simplex; Corynebacterium equi; Mycobacterium phlei; Nocardia restrict is and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to undergo enzymatic delta 1 -dehyrogenation of cortisol to prednisolone was investigated. Among the 84 tested organisms a strain of Corynebac-terium equi, proved to be the most active organism, where highest prednisolone out put [27.5%] was recorded. It was the first time to report on delta 1 -dehydrogenation of cortisol with a strain of Corynebacterium equi. Maximum dehydrogenation activity with the organism was achieved after 48 hr. Transformation of cortisol was affected quantitatively by the composition of the fermentation medium, transformation period and age of the culture. Optimal pH for delta 1 -dehydrogenation system was found to lie near neutrality

1-Dehydrogenation of cortisol with bacteria II- Some aspects of the enzymic 1-Dehydrogenation of cortisol with Corynebacterium equi

The enzymatic delta 1- dehydrogenation of cortisol to prednisolone with C. equi under varient conditions was evaluated. Mg+2 and K encouraged the formation of high yields of prednisolone while Mn+2 gave comparatively lower product yield. Supplementation of the transformation medium with fumarate, citrate and oxalate markedly enhanced the formation of prednisolone. Among the vitamins tested, menadione and riboflavine led to the formation of high yields of prednisolone. Higher conversion estimates were observed when cortisol was mixed with Tween 40