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Scale-Up of Phytosterols Bioconversion into Androstenedione
Sonia Martínez-Cámara1, Manuel de la Torre1, José-Luis Barredo1
1Department of Biotechnology, Curia Spain, León, Spain.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 29, 2023
Summary
This study scales up phytosterol bioconversion into androstenedione (AD) using a two-phase system in large bioreactors. This method efficiently converts phytosterols to valuable steroid intermediates.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbial biotransformation
- Steroid chemistry
Background:
- Phytosterols, derived from plant oils and wood pulp, possess a steroid nucleus.
- Bioconversion of phytosterols can yield important steroid intermediates by cleaving the C17 side chain.
- Poor water solubility of phytosterols and products necessitates specialized bioprocessing techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To scale up the bioconversion of phytosterols to 4-androstene-3,17-dione (androstenedione; AD).
- To optimize the process using Mycolicibacterium neoaurum B-3805 in bioreactors.
- To address solubility challenges using a water-oil two-phase system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Mycolicibacterium neoaurum B-3805 for phytosterol bioconversion.
- Employed a water-oil two-phase system to overcome substrate and product insolubility.
- Performed scale-up experiments in 5 L and 20 L bioreactors.
Main Results:
- Achieved efficient bioconversion of phytosterols to androstenedione (AD).
- Successfully scaled the process from flask to 20 L bioreactors.
- Demonstrated a bioconversion capacity of up to 20 g/L of phytosterols.
Conclusions:
- The water-oil two-phase system is effective for large-scale phytosterol bioconversion to AD.
- Mycolicibacterium neoaurum B-3805 is a suitable microorganism for this industrial biotransformation.
- This scalable process provides a viable route for producing steroid intermediates from phytosterols.
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