Microbial transformation of steroids
AssigneeThe Upjohn Company
InventorsThomas R. Pyke, Marion P. Salmond
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Abstract
Novel microbial transformation process to selectively convert steroids with or without 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to 3a.alpha.-H-4.alpha.-3'-propanol!-7a.beta.-methylhexahydro-1,5-indaned ione hemiketal having the following structure: ##STR1## This compound can be used as an intermediate to make useful 19-nor steroids.
Claims17
A process for preparing a compound of the formula ##STR6## which comprises cultivating Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8129 in an aqueous nutrient medium at a pH of 3.0 to 6.0 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 and recovering said compound from the cultivated medium.
A process for preparing a fermentation beer containing predominantly the compound of the formula ##STR7## which comprises cultivating Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8129 in an aqueous medium at a pH of 3.0 to 6.0 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.