Microbial process for preparing pravastatin

The present invention relates to a new microbial process for the preparation of the compound formula (I) ##STR1## from a compound of general formula (II) ##STR2## wherein R stands for an alkali metal or ammonium ion, by the submerged cultivation of a mold strain able to 6.beta.-hydroxylate a compound of the Formula (II) in aerobic fermentation and by the separation and purification of the product of Formula (I) formed in the course of the bioconversion. The process comprises cultivating a strain of Mortierella maculata filamentous mold species that is able to 6.beta.-hydroxylate a compound of the general Formula (II), on a nutrient medium containing assimilable carbon and nitrogen sources and mineral salts and separating the product formed from the fermentation broth, then isolating the compound of formula (I) and purifying the same. Novel strains of Mortierella maculata are also disclosed.

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We claim:

1. A biologically pure culture of the Mortierella maculata n. sp. E-97 strain deposited at the National Collection of Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest, Hungaryunder accession number NCAIM(P)F 001266.

2. A biologically pure culture of the Mortierella maculata n. sp. E-97/15/13 strain deposited at the National Collection of Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest, Hungary under accession number NCAIM(P)F 001267.

3. A Mortierella culture able to 6.beta.-hydroxylate a compound of formula (II) ##STR6##

wherein R stands for an alkali metal or ammonium ion, consisting essentially of a novel strain Mortierella maculata n. sp. E-97 deposited at the National Collection of Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest, Hungary under accessionnumber NCAIM(P)F 001266.

4. A Mortierella culture able to 6.beta.-hydroxylate a compound of formula (II) ##STR7##

wherein R stands for an alkali metal or ammonium ion, consisting essentially of a novel strain Mortierella maculata n. sp. E-97/15/13 deposited at the National Collection of Agricultural and Industrial Microorganisms, Budapest. Hungary underaccession number NCAIM(P)F 001267.