| abstract |
Disclosed herein is a method for preparing 11 beta , 17 alpha , 20, 21-tetrahydroxy steroids of the pregnane class. This method comprises incubating the corresponding 17 alpha , 20 alpha or beta , 21-trihydroxy steroid in the presence of a culture medium capable of effecting the 11 beta -hydroxylation, such medium comprising a fungal culture of the genus Curvularia. Also disclosed herein is a method for preparing 11 beta , 17 alpha , 21-trihydroxy-20-oxo steroids of the pregnane class. This method comprises the hydroxylation method described hereinabove followed by conversion of the resulting 11 beta , 17 alpha , 20 alpha or beta , 21-tetrahydroxy steroid into the corresponding 11 beta , 17 alpha , 21-trihydroxy-20-oxo steroid. |