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Published on: October 2, 2012
Steroid conversions by Flavobacterium dehydrogenans in two-liquid-phase systems
1Department of Biochemistry, Agricultural University, De Dreijen 11, 6703 BC Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|February 1, 1987
Summary
Flavobacterium dehydrogenans efficiently converts androstenolone acetate to 4-androstene-3, 17-dione using a two-liquid phase system with octane. This method significantly enhances steroid production rates and product recovery compared to traditional systems.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbial Steroid Transformations
- Biocatalysis
Background:
- Steroid production often faces challenges with low conversion rates and difficult product recovery.
- Optimizing microbial biotransformation processes is crucial for efficient pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficiency of 4-androstene-3, 17-dione production by Flavobacterium dehydrogenans using a two-liquid phase system versus conventional methods.
- To investigate the impact of cell density and system composition on steroid conversion rates.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of Flavobacterium dehydrogenans in octane/culture two-liquid phase systems.
- Comparison with Tween-containing medium and a standard aqueous medium.
- Optimization of cell density at the time of substrate and solvent/detergent addition.
- Assessment of cell viability using a novel method.
Main Results:
- The highest conversion rates were achieved with cells in the late exponential growth stage across all systems.
- The two-liquid phase system demonstrated approximately 6 times higher production rates than the aqueous medium.
- Conversion rates in Tween medium were 1.5 times higher than in the aqueous medium.
- The two-liquid phase system achieved over 98% (w/w) conversion, surpassing aqueous medium capabilities.
- Octane's positive effect on conversion was linked to observed viability changes.
Conclusions:
- A two-liquid phase system using octane significantly enhances the production rate and yield of 4-androstene-3, 17-dione by Flavobacterium dehydrogenans.
- Optimizing cell density and employing a two-liquid phase system offers a superior alternative for industrial steroid biotransformation.
- The study proposes a method for high-purity product recovery from the two-liquid phase system.
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