Nandrolone decanoate transformation by Neurospora crassa

Abstract

Neurospora crassa Shear & B.O. Dodge (Sordariaceae), the red bread mold, when incubated with exogenous nandrolone decanoate for 6 days at 25°C, produced four steroid metabolites. The microbial products were purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography followed by their identification through 1H, 13C NMR and other spectroscopic data. The fermentation yielded estr-4-en-3,17-dione (II), 17β-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (III), 6β,17β-dihydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (IV), and 9β,17β-dihydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (V). Characteristics observed were ester hydrolysis, hydroxyl group oxidation, and 9α- or 6β-hydroxylations. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Ltd.