Enzymatic transformation of morphine by hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas testosteroni.

Eznyme preparations from Pseudomonas testosteroni containing alpha- and beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases catalyzed the oxidation of morphine and codeine by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Morphine was converted in relatively low yield into 14-hydroxymorphinone probably via morphinone as an intermediate. Codeine was converted to codeinone and 14-hydroxycodeinone. Only the conversions at the 6-position were carred out by the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Hydroxylation at the 14-position did occur spontaneously (or enzymatically with a contaminating enzyme) ater oxidation at the 6-position.