The production of 3aα-H-4α-(3′-propionic acid)-5α-hydroxy-7aβ-methylhexahydro-1-indanone-δ-lactone by Nocardia restricta mutants

Two mutants of Nocardia restricta breakdown androst‐4‐ene‐3,17‐dione into 3aα‐H‐4α‐(3′‐propionic acid)‐5α‐hydroxy‐7aβ‐methylhexahydro‐l‐indanone‐δ‐lactone. The metabolic intermediates formed are very different in each mutant. One uses certain aromatic compounds very slowly. A degradation pathway for steroids by Nocardia restricta has been proposed.