Biotransformation of vinblastine to vincristine by the endophytic fungus fusarium oxysporum isolated from catharanthus roseus

TitleBiotransformation of vinblastine to vincristine by the endophytic fungus fusarium oxysporum isolated from catharanthus roseus
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsKumar, A, Ahmad, A
JournalBiocatalysis and Biotransformation
Volume31
Issue2
Pagination89-93
Date PublishedAPR
ISSN1024-2422
KeywordsBiotransformation, endophytes, fusarium oxysporum, Vinblastine, vincristine
Abstract

A fungal transformation method for the production of the less abundant but more valuable anticancer drug vincristine using the more abundant anticancer drug vinblastine by an endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum isolated from the plant Catharanthus roseus is described. Vinblastine dissolved in sterile water when incubated with the fungal mycelial mass was transformed into vincristine at room temperature. The biotransformation process was monitored by periodic sampling of aliquots that were extracted with ethyl acetate. The crude transformed compounds were analysed using TLC where the Rf value of the spot obtained on the 8th day was found to be similar to that of standard vincristine (Rf 0.74). Purification by HPLC using a C 18 symmetry column showed a peak with RT (34.9 min) similar to that of standard vincristine. Further characterization with the help of ESI-MS showed a peak at m/z 825 attributed to the (M + H)(+) ion. This indicated that the fungus Fusarium oxysporum had converted vinblastine to vincristine.

DOI10.3109/10242422.2013.776544
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)Foreign
Impact Factor (IF)1.093
Divison category: 
Biochemical Sciences