Biotransformation of mestanolone and 17-methyl-1-testosterone by Rhizopus stolonifer.

Microbial transformation of mestanolone ( 1) using the plant pathogenic fungus, Rhizopus stolonifer, resulted in the production of two known metabolites, identified as 11α-hydroxymestanolone ( 3) and 6α-hydroxymestanolone ( 4). Transformation of 17-methyl-1-testosterone ( 2) by R. stolonifer yielded two known metabolites, methandrostenolone ( 5) and 11α,17β- dihydroxy-androsta-1,4-diene-3-one ( 6). These transformations included α-hydroxylations at C-11 and C-6, dehydrogenation at C-4, androsta and a demethylation at C-17 positions. Structures of transformed products were determined using spectroscopic techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]