Biotransformation Of Beta-Artemether By Aspergillus Niger And Aspergillus Flavus, And Antifungal Activity Of Their Metabolites

beta-Artemether (1) on fermentation with Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus by liquid-phase medium yielded beta-artemetherfurano acetate (2) and 3 alpha-hydroxydeoxy-beta-artemether (3), whereas with Aspergillus niger by solid-phase medium yielded beta-artemetherfurano acetate (2) and deoxydihydroartemisinin (mixture of alpha and beta isomers) (4 and 5). Their structures were elucidated by modern spectroscopic methods and reported data. beta-Artemether (1) and both of its biotransformed products 2 and 3 were screened for their antifungal activity using the agar-well method.