Androstenedione is the main product after phytosterol fermentation by Mycobacteria. Bisnorcholenaldehyde (BA; 3-Oxopregn-4-ene-20-carboxaldehyde) is one of the by-products produced during fermentation. Bisnorcholenaldehyde is an essential intermediate in the production of progesterone, which is used to treat threatened abortion or habitual abortion disease caused by luteal insufficiency. It is a precursor of androgen, estrogen, glucocorticoid and intermediates of steroid hormone synthesis[1]. In addition, BA is used in magnetic-based graphene composites with steroidal diamine dimer as a potential drug in hyperthermia cancer therapy.
Bisnorcholenaldehyde is hydrocarbon derivatives and can be used as reference materials for medical impurities.
The initial threshold screening level (ITSL) for progesterone 4 is 0.04 μg/m3 based on an annual averaging time.
[1] Shi-Dong Xu. “Refining androstenedione and bisnorcholenaldehyde from mother liquor of phytosterol fermentation using macroporous resin column chromatography followed by crystallization.” Journal of Chromatography B 1079 (2018): Pages 9-14.
