Mutant microorganisms for selectively degrading steroid(s) - to androstane-3,17-di:one derivs. by aerobic fermentation, are esp. of Mycobacterium genus

摘要

New mutants of the genera Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Brevibacteria, Corynebacterium, Microbacterium, Mycobacterium, Nocardia, rotaminobacter, Serratia and Streptomyces are able to selectively degrade steroids (A) having a 2-10C alkyl side-chain at the 7-position so as to accumulate androsta-1,4-diene-3,7'-dione (I) and androsta-4-ene-3,17-dione (II) in the fermentation medium. Fermentation is carried out under aerobic conditions in an aq. nutrient medium. Use of these mutants to produce (I) and (II), esp. from sitosterol, cholesterol, stigmasterol and campesterol is also new. (I) and (II) are intermediates in synthesis of hormones e.g. oestrone and testosterone. Specifically claimed microorganisms are mycobacterium fortuitum NRRL B-8153 and M. phlei NRRL B-8154.