Process for preparing androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione
AssigneeThe Upjohn Company
InventorsMerle G. Wovcha, Candice B. Biggs, Thomas R. Pyke
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Mutants which are used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD) and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD). ADD and AD are valuable intermediates to make useful steroids.
Claims8
A process, for preparing a mixture of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione which comprises cultivating Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8153 in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, in the 17-alkyl side chain, and recovering the produced androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione.
A process for preparing a mixture of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione which comprises cultivating Mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8153 in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a mixture of two or more steriods wherein each steroid contains from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, in the 17-alkyl chain, and recovering the produced androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione.
A process for preparing a mixture of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione which comprises cultivating a mutant microorgansim of Mycobacterium fortuitum, said mutant being characterized by its ability to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, and accumulate androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione in the fermenation beer, in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of a steroid containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, in the 17-alkyl side chain, and recovering the produced androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.