126 



PerspecfJves m Microbiology 



ated compounds are also formed. Thus, for example, des- 

 oxycorticosterone (XIV) can be converted directly to 

 epihydrocortisone (XV), a compound which can be readily 

 oxidized to cortisone. Other compounds formed in this 

 bioconversion are 6(3,17a,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20- 

 dione (XVI), Reichstein's compound S (XIII), epicortico- 

 sterone (XVII), and 6p-hydroxy-ll-desoxycorticosterone 

 (XVIII). 



xrv 



Desoxycorticosterone 



XV 

 Epihydrocortisone 



CH2OH 

 I 

 0=0 



stOH 



XVI 

 6^,17Qr,21-Trihydroxy 

 4-pregnene-3,20-dione 



CH2OH 



I 



c=o 



CH20H 



HOv^ 



XVII 

 Epicorticosterone 



XVIII 



6 ^-Hydroxy -11- 



desoxycorticosterone 



Obviously, a combination of chemical and microbiologi- 

 cal reactions can be integrated into various synthetic pro- 

 cedures for the preparation of cortisone and hydrocortisone. 

 The final choice as to the best production method depends 

 upon the economics of the starting materials and the 

 efficiency of the processes involved. 



Chemical Reactions Performed by Microorganisms 

 on Steroids 



Various types of chemical reactions performed by several 

 different molds using various substrates are summarized in 

 the following paragraphs. 



I 



