"Spore plate method" for transformation of steroids by fungal spores entrapped in silica gel g.

A new technique for investigating steroid biotransformations involving the use of glucose-treated Silica Gel G thin-layer chromatography plates spotted with fungal spores and steroid substrates is described. The conversion is followed by the detection and identification of steroid metabolites and is carried out on single plates by using the spores of different fungi. During the entire process, the spores remain on the original spots and microscopical examination revealed no germination. The method was successfully applied to as little as 30 mug of substrates, and a single plate could be used to detect the steroid metabolizing activity of spores of as many as 15 different cultures.