Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel selective synthesis of 9?-hydroxy-steroid derivatives of the general formula (I) (I)—wherein the meaning of -A-A?- is —CH2—CH2— or —CH?CH— group—by the bioconversion of compounds of the general formula (II) (II) wherein the meaning of -A-A?- is —CH2—CH2— or —CH?CH— group—by using Nocardia farcinica bacterium strain, deposition number of which is NCAIM (P)—B 001342, as hydroxylating microorganism in the bioconversion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel selective synthesis of 9?-hydroxy-steroid derivatives of the general formula (I) (I)—wherein the meaning of -A-A?- is —CH2—CH2— or —CH?CH— group—by the bioconversion of compounds of the general formula (II) (II) wherein the meaning of -A-A?- is —CH2—CH2— or —CH?CH— group—by using Nocardia farcinica bacterium strain, deposition number of which is NCAIM (P)-B 001342, as hydroxylating microorganism in the bioconversion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of 17 .alpha.-hydroxy-20-oxopregnane derivatives of the general formula (I), ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 means a hydroxy or an oxo group; andthe dotted lines optionally represent one or more additional valence bond(s), with the proviso that the dotted line in the 4-position and the dotted line in the 5-position cannot each simultaneously be an additional valence bond from steroids having 23,24-dinor-17(20)-dehydrocholan-22-oic -22-oic acid structure.According to the process of the invention a steroid derivative having 23,24-dinorcholan-22-oic acid structure, containing a double bond in 17(20)-position, is transformed to 17.alpha., 20-epoxy-23,24-dinorcholanoic acid, the latter is converted to a reactive acid derivative, which is then reacted with a salt-containing azide ion to yield a 17.alpha., 20-epoxy-23,24-dinorcholanoic acyl azide derivative and the azide obtained is reacted with a mineral or organic acid in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microbial process for the production of immunosuppressive cyclosporine antibiotic complex or of its components, cyclosporine A, cyclosporine B and cyclosporine C, by the aerobic fermentation of a filamentous fungus strain biosynthesizing the above antibiotic(s) in a nutrient medium containing utilizable carbon and nitrogen sources as well as mineral salts, and by isolating the products formed, which comprises culturing a strain of the novel Tolypocladium varium fungus species producing the cyclosporine antibiotic complex, preferably tolypocladium varium sp. nov. CY/93, deposited at the National Collection of Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest, Hungary under the number NCAIM(P)F 001005, on a nutrient medium containing carbon sources, organic and inorganic nitrogen sources as well as mineral salts, under aerobic conditions, at 25.degree. to 30.degree. C., and, if desired, isolating and purifying the cyclosporine antibiotic complex or its components produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of 9.alpha.-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione from natural sterols of plant or animal origin or from mixtures thereof by the submerged aerobic fermentation of an enzyme-deficient, sterol-de-grading microorganism in a nutrient medium containing utilizable carbon and nitrogen sources as well as mineral salts, and by isolating the product formed, which comprises transforming the sterol or sterol mixture with the culture of a 1,2-steroid-dehydrogenase deficient strain of new Mycobacterium roseum species which is able to degrade the side-chain of natural sterols, preferably with Mycobacterium roseum sp. nov. 1108/1 deposited at the National Collection of Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest, Hungary under the number NCAIM B (P) 000339, and by isolating and purifying the 9.alpha.-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione obtained.