Biotransformation of Steroids Using Different Microorganisms

Abstract

The introduction of a hydroxyl group “biohydroxylation” in the steroid skeleton is an important step in the synthesis of new steroids used physiologically as hormones and active drugs. There are currently about 300 known steroid drugs whose production constitutes the second category within the pharmaceutical market after antibiotics. Several biotransformations at industrial scale have been applied in the production of steroid hormones and drugs, which have functionalized different types of raw materials by means of chemo -, regio- , and stereo selective reactions (hydroxylation, Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, oxidation reactions, reduction of group carbonyl, isomerization, and Michael additions, condensation reactions, among others). In Green Chemistry, biotransformations are an important chemical methodology toward more sustainable industrial processes.