Microbial hydroxylation of (-)-eburnamonine by Mucor circinelloides and Streptomyces violens

(6R)-6-Hydroxy-, (6S)-6-hydroxy- and (18S)-18-hydroxyeburnamonines were obtained by microbial conversion of (-)-eburnamonine using Mucor circinelloides and Streptomyces violens. Their structures were determined by analyses of the mass, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra. (-)-Eburnamonine and the three hydroxylated compounds showed cerebral protecting effects against potassium cyanide intoxication in mice.