Biotransformation studies of steroids by the fungus Penicillium oxalicum CBMAI 1996 to understand possible environmental impacts

• Grant number: 21/13179-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Andre Luiz Meleiro Porto
• Grantee: Ligia Breda e Vasconcelos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The large-scale use of contraceptives has generated an increase in the discharge of steroids into water bodies, especially in locations where there are large concentrations of population. Water and sewage treatment plants do not have efficient mechanisms for the elimination of organic molecules in low concentrations. In this way, compounds such as progesterone and desogestrel, used as contraceptives, are released through undue disposal or by natural human elimination primarily in domestic sewage. They travel a long way, reaching rivers, lakes, dams, treatment plants and finally coastal regions. The transport stages can interfere in some way with the environment in which they are. Because they are lipophilic and recalcitrant molecules, they can also accumulate in aquatic animal tissues, such as fish and birds, causing disturbances in their reproductive systems. Such compounds are classified as endocrine-disrupting pollutants. It is known that several strains of fungi have the enzymatic complex of cytochrome P-450, which, through monooxygenases, are able to modify the structure of such compounds. This project aims to obtain the biotransformation derivatives of progesterone and desogestrel, by the marine fungus Penicillium oxalicum CBMAI 1996. This fungus has already presented a potential in the biotransformation of progesterone, soon we will also seek to understand how desogestrel interacts since this fungus steroid has the same gonna skeleton as progesterone. It is intended to obtain the derivatives of progesterone and desogestrel (hydroxylated), identify and characterize by X-rays, NMR, IR. And, use them (in the future) as possible biomarkers in samples of treatment waters. Thus, it is intended to obtain a set of molecules that can be used as standards to know how steroids are being biotransformed and/or biodegraded in the environment.(AU)