Enzymatic preparation of 20 beta-hydroxysteroids in a two-phase system.

The behavior of 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in a two-phase system consisting of an emulsion of water with an immiscible organic solvent was investigated. The effect of several organic solvents on the stability, activity, and kinetic profile of the enzyme was considered. The most suitable system for carrying out the enzymatic reaction proved to be water-butyl acetate. The production of high quantitied of 20 beta-hydroxysteroids in 100% yield using catalytic amount of cofactor was achieved by coupling the 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-and the alcohol dehydrogenase-catalyzed reactions.