Microbial degradation of sterols.

  • 1 January 1972
    • journal article
    • Vol. 23  (1) , 72-7
Abstract
A process is described for the microbial degradation of cholesterol and plant sterols, to produce androsta-1, 4-diene-3, 17-dione and androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione, by two newly isolated bacteria designated Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3683 and Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805. These myocbacteria produce substantial amounts of 17-ketonic compounds without appreciable degradation of the steroid nucleus. No ring degradation inhibitory agents are necessary. The first microbiological production of 20alpha-hydroxymethylpregna-1, 4-dien-3-one is also reported.

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