Oxidation of 3beta-hydroxyandrostenes by the 3beta-hydroxy-steroid oxidase (cholesterol oxidase) from Brevibacterium sterolicum prior to their analysis by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The 3beta-hydroxysteroid oxidase from Brevibacterium sterolicum has been applied to the oxidation of a number of 3beta-hydroxyandrostenes, including polar steroids containing up to three other hydroxylic groups. The substrates, products, and derivatives thereof have been examined by gas-liquid chromatography. Retention index increments for these conversions, and for parallel transformations of other steroids, show considerable regularities, and together with mass spectrometric data afford characteristic structural information.