A total of 65 isolates representing 13 Emericella taxa (5 isolates of each of 12 species and 1 variety) had the ability to transform progesterone into 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. A systematic variation could be observed between the different tested Emericella taxa with respect to the transformation products. The isolates were divided according to the transformation types into six groups: (1) progesterone was hydroxylated into 6 beta-hydroxyprogesterone, 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 6 beta,11 alpha-dihydroxyprogesterone--found in Emericella acristata and E. dentata; (2) E. aurantio-brunna and E. parvathecia hydroxylated progesterone into 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 11 alpha,17 alpha-dihydroxyprogesterone; (3) E. nidulans and E. quadrilineata formed the same three products as members of group (2) and form epicortisol; (4) E. nidulans var. lata, E. bicolor and E. variecolor transformed progesterone into a mixture of mono-, di- and trihydroxy products; (5) E. striata and E. sublata exhibited an oxidative splitting of the progesterone side chain in position C-17 and hydroxylated progesterone into mono- and dihydroxy products; (6) E. rugulosa and E. unguis had the ability to degrade progesterone side-chain and to hydroxylate it into mono-, di- and trihydroxy products. This biochemical differentiation may supplement the morphological and other biochemical criteria used in the classification of the Emericella taxa.

Date Processing Plant Al Ahsa Food Industries Co Al Ahsa 31 982 Saudi Arabia

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