The side chains of sterols are degraded by fermentation with microorganisms capable of doing so in an improved manner by employing in such fermentations sterol derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 1 or 2; R.sub.1 is H or lower alkyl, R.sub.2 is alkyl, whose chain optionally is interrupted by an oxygen atom, or when n is 2, also a hydrogen atom; and R.sub.3 is a sterol side chain.
甾醇的侧链通过利用具有这种能力的微
生物进行发酵降解,通过在这种发酵中使用具有以下结构的
甾醇衍
生物来改进这种方法:其中n为1或2;R.sub.1为H或较低的烷基,R.sub.2为烷基,其链条可以被氧原子中断,或者当n为2时,也可以是氢原子;R.sub.3为
甾醇侧链。