14α-hydroxylation of androst-4-en-3, 17-dione by the whole cells of cyanobacterium Nostoc piscinale

Abstract

The potential of microalga Nostoc piscinale was evaluated in bioconversion of androst-4-en-3, 17-dione (I). Bio-reaction was performed in BG-11 liquid medium supplemented with 0.05% steroid substrate under continuous light photo-regime of 3000 lux at 25آ°C for 5 days. Three major metabolites were purified chromatographically and identified on the bases of their spectral data and physical constants as 17?-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (II), 14?-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (III) and 14?,17?- dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (IV). Bioconversion characteristics observed were 14?-hydroxylation and 17-keto reduction. Present results showed that the green biocatalyst is suitable for some specific alterations on androst-4-en-3,17-dione including 14?-hydroxylation. é 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.