Confirmation of the relationships of Aspergillus egyptiacus and Emericella nidulans using progesterone transformation

Isolates of Emericella nidulans (7 isolates), Aspergillus egyptiacus (7) and A. versicolor (5) were tested for their ability to transform progesterone. Consistent results were obtained between isolates of the same species. Whilst A. egyptiacus and E. nidulans possessed the enzyme system catalysing the transformation of progesterone into 11-α-hydroxyprogesterone, A. versicolor did not. Thus, progesterone transformation could be considered as further diagnostic evidence that A. egyptiacus is related to the Emericella group.