Abstract
Very limited studies have been done to investigate the algal biotransformation of codeine to its opioid derivatives. On the other hand, microalgae have been recently introduced as potential tools for green synthesis of various organic compounds. In the present work, the capability of biotransformation of codeine by a locally isolate strain of cyanobacterium, Nostoc muscorum, was evaluated. Incubation of the whole cells of Nostoc muscorum with codeine (I) under continuous light photoregime of 60 μmol photons/m2s at 25°C for 5 days gave rise to four transformation products. The bioproducts were separated by gas chromatography and identified as 6-acetylcodeine (II), oxycodone (III), norcodeine (IV), morphine (V) and based on their mass spectra. Observed modifications included O-demethylation, N-demethylation, C6-acetylation, C14-hydroxilation, Δ7-reduction, and C6-oxidation. The ability of N. muscorum to convert codeine to oxycodone (III) represents an uncommon pattern of codeine metabolism in microorganisms that may be of industrial importance.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported financially by grant number 88-01-33-8239 from Research Council of Tehran University of Medical Sciences & Health Services, Tehran, Iran. The helpful advice of Dr. Sina Adrangi (Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran) is also acknowledged.
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Niknam, S., Faramarzi, M.A., Abdi, K. et al. Bioconversion of codeine to semi-synthetic opiate derivatives by the cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum . World J Microbiol Biotechnol 26, 119–123 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-009-0150-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-009-0150-z