Microbial transformation of cholesterol: reactions and practical aspects—an update

• Published in: World journal of microbiology & biotechnology Vol. 35; no. 9; pp. 131 - 15
• Main Authors: Giorgi, Victoria, Menéndez, Pilar, García-Carnelli, Carlos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied Microbiology; Aqueous solutions; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - growth & development; Bacteria - metabolism; Biocatalysts; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Biotechnology - methods; Biotechnology - trends; Biotransformation; Chemical synthesis; Cholesterol; Cholesterol - metabolism; Conversion; Dehydrogenation; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Enzymes - metabolism; Esterification; Fungi - genetics; Fungi - growth & development; Fungi - metabolism; Hydroxylation; Isomerization; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Organic chemistry; Review; Stereoselectivity; Steroid hormones; Steroids; Sterols; Biocatalysis; Hydroxylation; Biotransformation; Oxidation; Bioavailability; Side chain cleavage; Cholesterol
• ISSN: 0959-3993; 1573-0972
• DOI: 10.1007/s11274-019-2708-8

Cholesterol is a C27-sterol employed as starting material for the synthesis of valuable pharmaceutical steroids and precursors. The microbial transformations of cholesterol have been widely studied, since they are performed with high regio- and stereoselectivity and allow the production of steroidal compounds which are difficult to synthesize by classical chemical methods. In recent years, ongoing research is being conducted to discover novel biocatalysts and to develop biotechnological processes to improve existing biocatalysts and biotransformation reactions. The main objective of this review is to present the most remarkable advances in fungal and bacterial transformation of cholesterol, focusing on the different types of microbial reactions and biocatalysts, biotransformation products, and practical aspects related to sterol dispersion improvement, covering literature since 2000. It reviews the conversion of cholesterol by whole-cell biocatalysts and by purified enzymes that lead to various structural modifications, including side chain cleavage, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation/reduction, isomerization and esterification. Finally, approaches used to improve the poor solubility of cholesterol in aqueous media, such as the use of different sterol-solubilizing agents or two-phase conversion system, are also discussed.