The Biosynthesis of Steroidal Sapogenins by Homogenates of Dioscorea Tubers

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that fermentation of comminuted tubers of Dioscorea for 1 to 21 days apparently increases the yields of diosgenin. We find that fine comminution produces the same result without fermentation. This readily available enzyme system should be useful to workers in several fields. It provides a convenient tool for further studies on the biosynthesis of plant steroids. Furthermore, the incorporation of radioactivity into steroidal sapogenins should simplify the production of radioactive pharmaceutical products which are derived from them.