Microbiological transformation of progesterone to II alpha- hydroxy progesterone using mucor racemosus NRRL 3639

ABSTRACT

The filamentous fungus Mucor racemosus NRRL 3639 efficiently hydroxylated exogenous progesterone to its II-alpha- hydroxy derivative HP. The studies of some parameters affecting the transformation reaction were carried out involving the suitability of the fermentation medium, transformation period, pH, progesterone concentration, addition of some vitamins of B group, micro- and microelements and some steroids as inducers. The results showed that the suitability of Kenawy's medium with pH 6, progesterone concentration 10 mg/50 ml, 48-hour transformation period and II-alpha- HP as inducer, riboflavin 1 mg/50 ml, potassium ferricyanide 1 mg/50 ml, [Mg+2, Fe+2, Mn+2, PO4-3] ions gave the maximum bioconversion reaction [74.3%]