Steroid transformation by living cells immobilized in calcium alginate
Whole cells of Arthrobacter simplex were immobilized in a living state in calcium alginate gel. The bacteria showed steroid-Δ1-dehydrogenase activity and the production of prednisolone from cortisol was investigated. The Δ1-dehydrogenase activity of the immobilized cells could be increased about ten-fold by incubation in nutrient media (e.g., containing 0.5% peptone abd 0.2% glucose). The reason f