Rhodotorula rubra useful in a process for the preparation of (.omega.-1)-hydroxyalkylxanthines

Abstract

A Rhodotorula rubra strain has been found which reduces pentoxifylline to 100% to give the S-alcohol. Moreover, other oxoalkylxanthine derivatives can also be converted into the corresponding S-alcohol. The microbiologically obtained S-(+)-enantiomers can then be converted stereo-selectively into the respective R-(-)-enantiomers. The corresponding S-alcohols and the R-alcohols obtained by enantioselective inversion of configuration cause an increase in cerebral blood flow.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.