Microbial production of testosterone and testololactone in the culture of Aspergillus terreus

Two metabolites were obtained by microbial transformation of androstendione in the culture of Aspergillus terreus PTCC 5283, a fungus isolated from soil. Their structures were established as testosterone and testololactone on the basis of the spectral data including H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, FTIR, MS and physical constants such as melting point and optical rotation. Aspergillus terreus produced both metabolites after 3 days incubation at 27 degreesC. The bioconversion reactions observed were 17-carbonyl reduction and biological Baeyer-Villiger oxidation.