Fungal Biotransformation of Fenofibrate

Screening studies were performed using eight fungal organisms for their potential to biotransform the drug fenofibrate to its active metabolite fenofibric acid. Among all fungi screened, only Aspergillus terreus shown an extra peak at 2.64 m compared to its controls indicating formation of metabolite. The metabolite thus formed was identified, isolated and structure was confirmed by HPLC, LCMS, IR and PNMR. Aspergillus terreus biotransformed the fenofibrate to its metabolite fenofibric acid. The biotransformation of fenofibrate by Aspergillus terreus was similar to metabolism of drug in mammals. Hence microorganisms can be used as a suitable tool for prediction of mammalian drug metabolism and to produce active metabolite of fenofibrate to use as new drug entity.