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

ABSTRACT

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