Mycobacterium fortuitum mutant

Abstract

Mutant which is used in a novel microbiological process to selectively degrade steroids having 17-alkyl side chains of from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, inclusive, to yield predominantly androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (AD) and small amounts of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (ADD). AD is a valuable intermediate to make useful steroids.

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