Composition of matter and process

A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR6## which comprises cultivating a Mycobacteriium mutant which is characterized by its ability to selectively degrade steroids with or without a 17-alkyl side chain of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and accumulate 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1,5-indandione hemiketal;

• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanal]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone hemiacetal;
• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propionic acid]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1-indanone-.delta.-lactone ;
• and 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone in the fermentation beer, in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.

A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR7## which comprises cultivating Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8128 in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.

A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR8## which comprises cultivating a Mycobacterium mutant which is characterized by its ability to selectively degrade steroids with or without a 17-alkyl side chain of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and accumulate 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1,5-indandione hemiketal;

• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanal]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone hemiacetal;
• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propionic acid]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1-indanone-.delta. -lactone;
• and 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone in the fermentation beer, in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.

A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR9## which comprises cultivating Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8128 in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.

A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR10## which comprises cultivating a Mycobacterium mutant which is characterized by its ability to selectively degrade steroids with or without a 17-alkyl side chain of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and accumulate 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1,5-indandione hemiketal;

• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanal]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone hemiacetal;
• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propionic acid]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1-indanone-.delta.-lactone ;
• and 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone in the fermentation beer, in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.

A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR11## which comprises cultivating Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8128 in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.

A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR12## which comprises cultivating a Mycobacterium mutant which is characterized by its ability to selectively degrade steroids with or without a 17-alkyl side chain of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and accumulate 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1,5-indandione hemiketal;

• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanal]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone hemiacetal;
• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propionic acid]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1-indanone-.delta.-lactone ;
• and 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone in the fermentation beer, in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.

A process for preparing a fermentation beer containing compounds of the formulae ##STR13## which comprises cultivating Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8128 in an aqueous medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.

A process for preparing a fermentation beer containing compounds of the formulae ##STR14## which comprises cultivating a Mycobacterium mutant which is characterized by its ability to selectively degrade steroids with or without a 17-alkyl side chain of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and accumulate 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1,5-indandione hemiketal;

• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanal]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone hemiacetal;
• 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propionic acid]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1-indanone-.delta.-lactone ;
• and 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-[3'-propanol]-5.alpha.-hydroxy-7a.beta.-methylhexahyd ro-1-indanone in the fermentation beer, in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid with or without a 17-alkyl side chain containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive.