Non-terpenoid biotransformations by Mucor species

Abstract

Biotransformation is an important tool for the structural modification of organic compounds, especially natural products with complex structures, which are difficult to achieve using ordinary methods. It is also useful as a model for mammalian metabolism due to similarities between mammalian and microbial enzyme systems. The development of novel biocatalytic methods is a continuously growing area of chemistry, microbiology, and genetic engineering, and novel microorganisms and/or their enzymes are being screened intensively. This review covers the transformation of non-terpenoid compounds such as steroids, coumarins, flavonoids, drugs, pesticides and others by Mucor spp. up to the end of 2012.