Microbiological transformation of cannabinoids.

Microorganisms were screened for their ability to modify 2 synthetic cannabinoid substrates (I and II). Structure analyses revealed that microorganisms transformed the substrates by (a) primary oxidation of the side chain, beta-oxidation of the side chain, ketone formation on the side chain or cyclohexene ring, (b) secondary hydroxylation on the side chain, (c) aromatization of the cyclohexene ring, and (d) tertiary hydroxylation at the b/c ring juncture.