Bioconversion of Phytosterols into Androstadienedione by Mycobacterium smegmatis CECT 8331.

The C19 steroid 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione (androstadienedione, ADD) is an added value product used as a synthon in the pharmaceutical industry for the commercial production of corticosteroids, mineralocorticoids, oral contraceptives, and other pharmaceutical steroids. Phytosterol biotransformation catalyzed by microbial whole cells is actually a very well-established research area in white biotechnology. The protocol below provides detailed information on ADD production by the mutant CECT 8331 of Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 using phytosterols as raw material in a lab scale. This protocol describes the bioconversion of phytosterols into ADD in a single fermentation step.