Abstract
Progestrone bioconversion by immobilized Aspergillus phoenicis was studied. Progesterone was converted into 11$\alpha$-hydroxyprogesterone and 3-minor byproducts. Whole cells of A. phoenicis were immobillized by enreappment with calcium-alginate, K-carrageenan, or polyacrylamide. Of these materials tested, cell immobilized in $Ca^{2+}$ -alginate gels showed the highest activity for 11$\alpha$-hydroxylation of progesterone. In the case of mycelia immobilized in $Ca^{2+}$-alginate, futher progressing hydroxylation of 11$\alpha$-hydroxyprogesterone was greatly reduced. Spores of A. phoenicis which were immobillized with $Ca^{2+}$-alginate and germinatedin situ for 25 hours showed higher 11$\alpha$-hydroxylase activity than those of entrapped whole mycelia and maintained initial enzyme activity for all 8 times of repeated use. After 16 times of reuse, the activity was declined 30% or more. When culture media and $Zn^{2+}$ were introduced into the reaction media, the activity of the immobilized mycelia which had been lowered due to many times of reuse was effectively reactivated.