Biotransformation of extracted digitoxin from Digitalis lanata by Streptomyces

The biotransformation of digitoxin and some of its derivatives extracted from Digitalis lanata by Streptomyces isolated species was investigated. Cultures of a Streptomyces strain designated EUSA2003B, isolated from an Egyptian soil sample, efficiently induced selective 12beta-hydroxylation of the steroid aglycone of digitoxin (DT) and its alpha-acetyl and beta-methyl derivatives. The transformation reaction was performed within a 5-day fermentation process, products were isolated and their aglycone moiety was obtained by acid hydrolysis and their structures were elucidated by 13C and 1H NMR. The biotransformation resulted mainly digoxin (DG, approximately 87%), meanwhile, digoxigenone (DGON, approximately 7.0%) was also afforded as a side product. The present study revealed that: 1-Streptomyces isolate EUSA2003B harbors its specific 12beta-hydroxlase and has the capability to transform DT and it's alpha-acetyl and beta-methyl derivatives into their corresponding digoxins at reasonable yields. 2-The minor structural differences in the trisaccharide side chain seemed ineffective on the transformational capability of this organism. 3-The Streptomyces might also possess a specific glycosidase that splits the saccharidic side chain beside another dehydrogenase that oxidizes C3 at the steroid nucleus into its ketone form (DGON).