Abstract: A process for the recovery of high purity natamycin from fermentaion broth by extraction with methanol is disclosed. In one embodiment the process comprises the steps:(1) adding methanol to a natamycin feed stream comprising at least 2 g/L of solid suspended natamycin to form an extraction medium, and maintaining the extraction medium at a temperature of 0.degree.-25.degree. C., preferably not over 15.degree. C.;(2) adjusting the pH of the extraction medium to 1.0 to 4.5 while maintaining the temperature at 0.degree.-25.degree. C. for 0.5 to 30 hours, but preferably not over 0.5 hours when the temperature is 15.degree.-25.degree. C.;(3) removing solids from the extraction medium to form an extraction liquor;(4) raising the pH of the extraction liquor to 6.0-9.0; and(5) recovering precipitated natamycin.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating compounds of the formula ##STR1## where --R is --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, --C.tbd.CH --C.tbd.N or ##STR2## in an aqueous solution thereof is disclosed. In the case where R is --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2 or --C.dbd.CH, the temperature is preferably at least 50.degree. C. and preferably 75.degree. to 100.degree. C. The base is at least 0.1N and preferably 1.0 to 8N. Preferred bases are NaOH, KOH and C.sub.5 OH. In the case where --R is C.tbd.N, the temperature preferably is 20.degree. to 50.degree. C.