Abstract: A lycogen extract comprising active ingredient of ?-carotene, neurosporene, spheroidenone and/or methoxyneurosporene is described. A composition comprising the lycogen extract of the present invention and food scientific or pharmaceutical acceptable carrier is also presented. A method for the treatment of disease in need of the lycogen extract which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of lycogen extract of the present invention is further described.

Abstract: A process for the overexpression of dehydrogenases, especially for the overexpression of ?1-dehydrogenases, in particular for the overexpression of 3-keto steroid-?1-dehydrogenases, as well as for the bacteria, plasmids and DNA sequences that can be used for the overexpression, is described.

Abstract: Microbiological conversions of cyclodextrins are intensified by adding to the reaction mixture 0.2 to 3 moles of .alpha.-, .beta.- or .gamma.-cyclodextrin or an optical mixture thereof pro mole of the steroid substrate, before, at the beginning or during the conversion. The cyclodextrin if desired, can be removed after the reaction. In this way the reaction velocity can be increased, the reaction time is reduced, the substrate concentration in the solution, i.e. its solubility is increased or the so called product inhibition may be avoided. In certain cases of more alternatives the desired reaction can be catalyzed and in this manner the selectivity is increased.