Process for the preparation of cyclic ketones

Process for the preparation of cyclic ketones of formula ##STR10## wherein the dotted line indicates the location of a single or double bond, m represents an integer from 0 to 3 and n an integer from 0 to 10, each of the symbols R, which can be identical or different, stands for hydrogen or for a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and each of the substituent groups can be located in any available position of the ring, which process comprises adding a substrate containing one or several cyclic carboxylic derivatives of formula ##STR11## wherein the dotted line and the symbols R and m have the meaning indicated in formula (I), p>n+2 and is defined as being an even integer when n is even and an odd number when n is odd, to a culture of a microorganism capable of .beta.-oxidising the fatty acid chain of said derivatives, and contacting said substrate with said culture for an amount of time sufficient to form at least one of said ketones (I) which is then extracted from the reaction medium.