Kinetic analysis of 11α-hydroxylation of steroids by Rhizopus nigricans

Optimization of bioconversion of 16,17α-epoxyprogesterone by Rhizopus nigricans TJ 108 was investigated by means of uniform design. Batch cell growth and bioconversion kinetics were simulated under optimal conditions. Contois equation was used in the kinetics study of fungal growth on glucose. Simulation of bioconversion process was done at a constant value of substrate concentration according to the reaction mechanism. It was demonstrated that the above model satisfactorily described the kinetic behaviors of cell growth and bioconversion of the filamentous fungi.