Biotransformations of dehydroepiandrosterone by some molds

In this study, biotransformations of dehydroepiandrosterone by Ulocladium chartarum MRC 72584 and Cladosporium sphaerospermum MRC 70266 were performed. Incubation of dehydroepiandrosterone with Ulacladium chartarum MRC 72584 gave 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-7,17-dione (6%), 3β,7β-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (16%), 3β,7α-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (12%), 3β,7α-dihydroxy-5β,6β-epoxyandrostan-17-one (2%), 3β,7β-dihydroxy-5β,6β-epoxyandrostan-17-one (3%), 3β,4β,7α-trihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (3%) and 3β,4β,7β-trihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (4%). 3β,7β-Dihydroxy-5β,6β-epoxyandrostan-17-one, 3β,4β,7α-trihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one and 3β,4β,7β-trihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one were identified as new compounds. Incubation of the same substrate with Cladosporium sphaerospermum MRC 70266 gave 5α-androstan-3,6,17-trione (4%), 6β-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (15%), 6α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (5%), 7α-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (6%), 3β,7β-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (4%) and 3β,7α-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (20%). The structures of the metabolites were revealed by comparing melting points, NMR and IR spectra of the starting material with those of metabolites. Keywords: Biotransformation, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, Ulocladium chartarum