Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to determine the ability of certain fungi to
biotransform morphine alkaloids into medicinally relevant intermediates. Fungal
strains screened for their ability to affect biotransformation of morphine alkaloids
include Cunninghamella echinulata, Helicostylum pirijorme, Pycnoporus sanguinea,
Pycnoporus cinnabarina, Curvularia lunata and Sporotrichum sulfurescens. The
research demonstrated that Cunninghamella echinulata N-demethylated thebaine,
hydrocodone, codeine, oripavine and oxycodone into corresponding nor-compounds in
varying yields.
The study further focused on the characterization of the enzyme responsible for
the biotransformation of thebaine into northebaine by Cunninghamella echinulata. The
study clearly showed that incubation of the fungal culture with thebaine over a period
of 48 hours was required to activate the biotransformation process.
The biotransformation studies with [14C] labeled thebaine showed that Ndemethylation
by Cunningham ella echinulata does not involve O-demethylation
followed by methyl group transfer as suggested in previous studies.
