Mechanisms of Steroid Oxidation by Microorganisms

Abstract

Exposure of estrone to Nocardia sp. (E 110) resulted in the formation of three degradative products. These have been characterized as 3aα-H-4α-[3'-propanoic acid]-5β-[2-ketopropyl]-7aβ-methyl-1-indanone (Ia), 3aα-H-4α-[3'-propanoic acid]-5β-[4'-but-3-enoic acid]-7aβ-methyl-1-indanone (IIa), and 2-carboxy-7aβ-methyl-7-keto-9aα-H-indano-[5,4f]-5aα,10,10aβ,11-tetrahydroquinoline (IIIa). A plausible mechanism for their formation from estrone is presented.