Abstract: There is provided a method for improving optical purity of an amine compound of the formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 indicates a phenyl group which may be substituted or an aralkyl group having 7 to 10 carbon atoms which may be substituted, and R.sup.2 indicates an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which is characterized by contacting a cutlture of a microorganism belonging to Arthrobacter having an ability to preferentially metabolize one optical isomer based on an asymmetric carbon atom to which an amino group bonds in the amine compound of the formula I or a treated product thereof with the amine compound of the formula I.

Abstract: There is provided a process for production of carane-3,4-diol which includes contacting a culture of filamentous fungus having an ability to produce carane-3,4-diol from 3-carene or 3,4-epoxycarane, cells collected from the culture or treated cells with 3-carene or 3,4-epoxycarane, then recovering the resulting carane-3,4-diol.

Abstract: The present relates to a process for preparing optically active cyclopropane carboxylic acid derivatives of salts thereof represented by the formula (III) ##STR1## wherein X is chlorine atom, bromine atom, methyl group or trifluoromethyl group and R' is hydrogen atom or metal ion, by asymmetrically hydrolyzing cyclopropane carboxylic acid esters having the formula (II) ##STR2## wherein X is as defined above and R is C.sub.1-4 alkyl group or halogen-substituted C.sub.1-4 alkyl group with specific strains of microorganisms or esterase derived therefrom.