STUDIES TO HYDROXYLATION OF STEROIDS CORRELATED TO TAXONOMY OF FUNGI OF GENUS CURVULARIA AND HELMINTHOSPORIUM

1. A method for the selective isolation of Curvularia and Helminthosporium is described. 2. 29 strains of Curvularia lunata, 32 strains of 24 different Curvularia species, and 18 Helminthosporium strains are tested for their ability to saponify 6 α-Fluor-21-acetoxy-16α-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (FMDOCA) and to hydroxylate the free compound FMDOC and compound Reichstein S in the 7α,9α,11β und 14α position. 3. Almost all strains were able to saponify FMDOCA. 4. Only few strains of Curvularia lunata and two strains of Helminthosporium were able to hydroxylate compound RS or FMDOC in 11β position at interesting quantities. 5. In systematics and morphology no correlations with the physiologic abilities of these strains could be detected. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.