Abstract: A novel endermic medicament having a consistency of a gel is proposed which is formulated, as a gel base, with non-ionic water-soluble cellulose ether, e.g., methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, modified with a modification agent containing, in the molecule, an alkyl group having 6 to 26 carbon atoms and a functional group having reactivity with the hydroxyl group in the cellulose ether, e.g., stearyl glycidyl ether, decyl glycidyl ether and cetyl epoxide. The endermic medicament formulated with the modified cellulose ether is stable by virtue of the very little interaction between the active ingredients and the gel base and also can exhibit high percutaneous absorptivity of the active ingredients through the human skin.

Abstract: Muconic acid is obtained from the culture of strains of Arthrobacter sp. mutant strains, strains belonging to Corynebacterium acetoacidophilum, Corynebacterium lilium, genus Brevibacterium or genus Microbacterium.

Abstract: 9.alpha.-hydroxy-3-oxopregna-4,17(20)-diene-20-carboxylic acid and its methyl ester, and methods of microbiological production thereof, one comprising cultivating a Rhodococcus species in the presence of the corresponding 3-oxopregna-4,17(20)-diene-20-carboxylic acid or its methyl ester, and the other comprising cultivating Mycobacterium species NRRL B-8054 and a Rhodococcus species in the presence of a sterol substrate.