**Conflict of interest**

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

*Microorganisms as Biocatalysts and Enzyme Sources DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90338*

**3. Conclusion**

*Microorganisms*

compounds.

pathways.

desired requirements.

**Acknowledgements**

**Conflict of interest**

**296**

de Química Orgánica, FES-Cuautitlán, UNAM.

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Due to microorganisms' abundant multienzyme systems, microbial transformation possesses advantages against chemosynthesis of environmental friendliness, mild reaction conditions, and high *stereo*-, *regio*, and *chemo*-selectivities as well as in improving conversion rates and reducing cost. Thus, microbial transformation technique is being increasingly used to structurally modify natural and synthetic

The hydrolytic and reductive capabilities of microorganisms have been known and are currently used in preparative and industrial reactions. Various classes of bioactive organic compounds have been subjected to enzymatic transformation to obtain more active and less toxic substances or to elucidate their metabolic

For example, biotransformation-derived steroids are used for a wide range of pharmacotherapeutic purposes, such as anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive,

An alternative may be extremophilic microorganisms such as biocatalysts for countless future industrial applications that are more environmentally friendly.

The authors thank Carrera de Biología, FES-Zaragoza, UNAM, Al Departamento

progestational, diuretic, anabolic, as neurosteroids, and as contraceptive. Researchers continue to discover more useful steroid compounds and to isolate microorganisms that can perform the structural transformations desired. New technologies such as genomics, metanogenomics, gene shuffling, and DNA evolution provide valuable tools for improving or adapting enzyme properties to the
