MICROALGAL BIOTRANSFORMATION OF STEROIDS(1)

Microbial biotransformation of steroids is not a new concept, but most studies in this field have focused on fungal and bacterial systems. Microalgae, despite their photosynthetic ability and immense biodiversity, have not received much attention in this aspect until recently. Since the publication of the first article on microalgal biotransformation of steroids about 20 years ago, there have been many reports describing different modifications, including hydroxylation, reduction, side-chain degradation, and isomerization introduced by these microorganisms on estrane, androstane, and pregnane derivatives. On the other hand, the development of new large-scale cultivation systems, the adaptation of existing fermentation techniques to microalgae, and the introduction of microalgal genetic manipulation methods have made these organisms promising candidates for a wide range of biotechnological processes, including biotransformations. In this review, we have summarized the steroid transformation patterns of several microalgal strains and present a perspective of the future trends in microalgal biotechnology, including the possibility of adapting relatively new techniques, such as organic media catalysis and cell immobilization, to this specific field.