title: Microbial degradation of sterols.
abstract: A process is described for the microbial degradation of cholesterol and plant sterols, to produce androsta-1, 4-diene-3, 17-dione and androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione, by two newly isolated bacteria designated Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3683 and Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805. These myocbacteria produce substantial amounts of 17-ketonic compounds without appreciable degradation of the steroid nucleus. No ring degradation inhibitory agents are necessary. The first microbiological production of 20alpha-hydroxymethylpregna-1, 4-dien-3-one is also reported.
mesh_terms: D000731:Androstanes / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003470:Culture Media; D005285:Fermentation; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010944:Plants; D011278:Pregnanes / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011830:Radiation Effects; D013261:Sterols / Q000378:metabolism*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000731:Androstanes; D003470:Culture Media; D011278:Pregnanes; D013261:Sterols; D002784:Cholesterol