Biotransformation of methyltestosterone by the filamentous fungus Mucor racemosus

Fungi have proved to be powerful biocatalysts in steroid biotransformations. In the present study, the soil isolate filamentous fungus Mucor racemosus was applied for bioconversion of methyltestosterone (1), an anabolic steroid, in a five-day fermentation. Microbial metabolites were purified chromatographically and identified on the basis of their spectral data as 7α-hydroxymethyltestosterone (2), 15α-hydroxymethyltestosterone (3), and 12,15α-dihydroxymethyltestosterone (4). Observed modifications were hydroxylations at C-7α, C-12, and 15α-positions. Best fermentation condition for production of hydroxylated derivatives was found to be 25°C at 150 rpm for 5 days with a substrate concentration of 1 mg/mL.