Abstract
IN an earlier communication1 we stated that by cultivating Proactinomyces roseus in a synthetic culture medium in which the only source of carbon and nitrogen was 2 per mille pyridine, and using up the superfluous nitrogen by emulsifying 0·1 per cent cholesterol in the medium and aerating it at 34° C., in two weeks we obtained 7-oxycholesterol and 4,5-cholestonone. Later, we received a letter from Dr. G. A. D. Haslewood, of the Physiological Laboratory, Guy's Hospital, London, S.E., expressing doubt that the occurrence of 7-oxycholesterol was the result of the microbiological oxidation; in his opinion, the result was analogous to the production of 7-oxycholesterol from cholesterol in alkali medium, by aeration and elevated temperature, as shown by Bergström and Wintersteiner2,3, in which case the micro-organism plays no part.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Krámli, A., and Horváth, J., Nature, 162, 619 (1948).
Bergström, A., and Wintersteiner, O., J. Biol. Chem., 141, 597 (1941); 143, 503 (1942); 145, 309, 327 (1942).
Haslewood, G. A. D., Nature, 154, 29 (1944).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KRÁMLI, A., HORVÁTH, J. Microbiological Oxidation of Sterols. Nature 163, 219 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/163219a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/163219a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.