(528e) Solvent-Enhanced Biotransformation of Chemicals By Beauveria Bassiana As Biocatalyst

This research evaluates the oxidative capacity of n-alkane-induced fungal Beauveria bassiana, a versatile whole cell biocatalyst used in the biotransformation of steroids and in the production of valuable organic compounds. n-Alkane solvents such as dodecane, and hexadecane serve as carbon sources during growth of B. bassiana. These hydrocarbons induce the expression of oxidative enzymes and enhance the growth rate of B. bassiana in glucose and glycerol culture media. This research aims to optimize yield and selectivity in the hydroxylation of unfunctionalized carbons on DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone, 3β-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one) to 11α-hydroxy-DHEA, as result of virulence enhancement conditions. DHEA is an essential endogenous steroid male-hormone and provides the opportunity to study the activation of unfunctionalized carbons; an attractive reaction that produce valuable intermediates for chemical synthesis in pharmaceuticals. Results include growth curve analysis and biomass yield of B. bassiana in glucose and glycerol media. Biotransformation was successful in glycerol medium and no reaction inhibition effect was found in comparison to biotransformation on glucose-based medium. 1H-NMR was used to characterize metabolites. An analysis of the n-alkane effect on biocatalyst performance, including impact on reaction selectivity as well as correlations between biomass and reaction yields will be presented.