Biotransformation of progesterone by Absidia griseolla var. igachii and Rhizomucor pusillus.

Biotransformation of progesterone using Absidia griseolla var. igachii and Rhizomucor pusillus strains as biocatalysts were investigated. Microbial hydroxylation of progesterone by A. griseolla produced two hydroxylated pregnane-like steroids. The metabolites identified as 6β,14α-dihydroxyprogesterone and 7α,14α-dihydroxyprogesterone. R. pusillus produced 6β,11α-dihydroxyprogesterone with excellent yield (65.5%) and 7α,14α-dihydroxyprogesterone. These metabolites were purified by TLC followed by their identification through (1)H, (13)C NMR and other spectroscopic data.