Claims
- 1. An improved process for preparing useful androstane steroids from phytosterols characterized by the presence of branched chains at C-24, which comprises selectively cleaving the 17-side chains of said phytosterols by exposing them to fermentative action of enzymes elaborated by a microorganism of the genus Nocardia, Mycobacterium, Arthrobacter or Corynebacterium characterized by the ability to cleave the 17-side chain of phytosterols and to respond to the HCO.sub.3.sup.- ion during the cleavage process, in the presence of a one carbon unit chemical compound which can be converted by the microorganisms to the bicarbonate ion, or CO.sub.2, sufficient in amount to enhance the cleavage of the 17-side chain of the phytosterols but insufficient to adversely affect the elaboration of enzymes by the microorganism and recovering the desired androstane steroids.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the exposure to the enzymes elaborated by the microorganism is accomplished during cultivation of the microorganism in an aqueous nutrient medium under submerged aerobic conditions.
- 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the bicarbonate ion is supplied by the introduction of carbon dioxide into the medium during the cultivation.
- 4. The process of claim 2 wherein the process is carried out at a temperature in the range from about 10.degree. C. to about 37.degree. C. for a period of about 12 hours to about 12 days.
- 5. The process of claim 2 wherein the exogenous source of bicarbonate ion (HCO.sub.3 --) is sufficient to a bicarbonate ion concentration in the range from about 25 mM to about 200 mM.
- 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the exposure to the enzymes elaborated by the microorganism is accomplished in a nutrient medium in which said enzymes have been incorporated after they have been released from a growing culture of the microorganisms and recovered.
- 7. The process of claim 1 wherein the phytosterol is sitosterol.
- 8. The process of claim 1 wherein the phytosterol is campesterol.
- 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the microorganism is of the genus Mycobaterium.
- 10. The process of claim 9 wherein the Mycobacterium is Mycobacterium sp. NRRL B-3805.
- 11. The process of claim 9 wherein the Mycobacterium is Mycobacterium sp. NRRL-3683.
- 12. The process of claim 9 wherein the Mycobacterium is phlei NRRL B-15050.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 382,011, filed May 25, 1982, abandoned.
Government Interests
The invention described herein was made in the course of work under a grant or award from the Department of Health and Human Services.
US Referenced Citations (5)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
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Country |
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382011 |
May 1982 |
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