Optimization of the Method of Obtaining 9α-Hydroxy-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione—the Key Intermediate in the Synthesis of Highly Active Fluorinated Corticosteroids from Phytosterols

Abstract

A method of phytosterol conversion into 9α-hydroxy-androstenedione under high loads of steroid substrate has been developed with the use of mixed cultures of the actinobacteria M. neoaurum and R. erythropolis. The introduction of a 9α-hydroxylating culture after the first 70 h of conversion made it possible to increase process selectivity and to exclude the use of methylcyclodextrin, which is expensive and difficult to regenerate.