Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process according to which 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols can be synthesized with a better yield, as well as a process for production of lipid metabolism improvers, foods, drinks, and animal feeds containing the 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols. The process for production of 5-ene-3-one or 3,6-dione derivatives of sterols of the present invention involves preparing a culturing solution containing an Arthrobacter bacterium, which is a microorganism exhibiting a cholesterol oxidase activity, and then, adding to the culturing solution an equivalent amount of hexane so as to prepare a bilayer solution consisting of an aqueous layer and a hydrocarbon-based solvent layer. Thereafter, sterol, or a derivative thereof, is made as a substrate contained therein, a reaction performed with cholesterol oxidase at 30° C. for 2 days, and, ethanol then added to separate a hydrocarbon-based solvent layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fermentation composition which makes use of rice brans, soybeans and sources of carbon as starting materials and which is innoxious, has a good SOD action (the action of effectively eliminating O.sub.2.sup.- which is harmful to the living body and the action of preventing diseases), and can prevent degradation of vitamin C. The invention also relates to an antihypertensive agent and constipation improver which are innoxious and have a good SOD action. The fermentation composition comprises a fermentation liquid obtained by inoculating and cultivating, under aerating and agitating conditions, bacillus natto or grass bacilli in a liquid medium,a pH of the medium is controled in the range of from 7.5 to 10 by alkaline agents, containing a rice bran, a soybean, a source of carbon and water, and filtering the resultant cultivation broth, or an evaporation residue of the fermentation liquid, vitamin C and, optionally, an extract of green tea or its evaporation residue.