Biotransformation of 17α-ethynyl substituted steroidal drugs with microbial and plant cell cultures: A review

•Metabolism of 17α-ethynyl steroidal drugs with microbial and plant cell cultures.•Novel biotransformed products in presence of 17α-ethynyl moiety.•Biotransformation resulted regio-selective and stereospecific products.•Experimental and structure elucidation techniques used in biotransformation. Structural modification of steroids through whole-cell biocatalysis is an invaluable procedure for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and key intermediates. Modifications could be carried out with regio- and stereospecificity at positions hardly available for chemical agents. Much attention has been focused recently on the biotransformation of 17α-ethynyl substituted steroidal drugs using fungi, bacteria and plant cell cultures in order to obtained novel biologically active compounds with diverse structure features. Present article includes studies on biotransformation on 17α-ethynyl substituted steroidal drugs using microorganisms and plant cell cultures. Various experimental and structural elucidation methods used in biotransformational processes are also highlighted.