Microbial transformation of daunomycinone by Streptomyces aureofaciens B-96

Daunomycinone, aglycone of the anthracycline antibiotic daunomycin, was transformed by a washed mycelia of Streptomyces aureofaciens B-96 in a buffer solution containing sucrose; the obtained product, dihydrodaunomycinone (9-(1-hydroxyethyl)-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,7,9,11-tetrahydroxy-4-methoxy-5,12-naphthacenequinone), was identified by measuring basic physicochemical characteristics (IR, UV and visible spectra, mass spectra and NMR, optical rotation and m.p.).