Abstract
1. Three methoxyamphetamine analogues have been incubated with Cunninghamella echinulata under different environmental and nutrient conditions.
2. The biotransformation of 4-methoxyamphetamine was inhibited by cobalt; the carbon source and other trace metals had no effect. The rate of biotransformation of 4-methoxyamphetamine and formation of 4-hydroxyamphetamine was greater in cultures incubated on 30° angle brackets rather than flat.
3. Carbon monoxide, ethanol and quinidine had a significant effect on methoxamph-etamine metabolism.
4. Metabolism was influenced by the position of the methoxy side-chain and substrate concentration. In day 7 samples the relative order for biotransformation was 3- > 4- > 2-methoxyamphetamine.
5. O-Demethylation was the major metabolic route in the biotransformation of 4-methoxyamphetamine but occurred to a lesser extent with 3-methoxyamphetamine, and was only a trace pathway with 2-methoxyamphetamine. N-acetylation was a trace pathway.