Microbial transformation of nandrolone decanoate by acremonium strictum.

Estr-4-en-3,17-dione II, 17beta-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one III, 15alpha-hydroxyestr-4-en-3,17-dione IV, and 15alpha,17beta-dihydroxyestr-4-en-3-one V were produced by microbial transformation of nandrolone decanoate I in the culture of Acremonium strictum PTCC 5282. Bioconversion characteristics observed were ester hydrolysis, oxidation, and hydroxylation. Each microbial product was purified chromatographically and characterized on the basis of spectral data obtained from (1)H-NMR,( 13)C-NMR, FT-IR, MS, and physical constants such as melting point and optical rotation.