Patent ID: 6905851

Claim:
A microbial process for the preparation of the compound of formula (I) from a compound of the general formula (II) wherein R stands for an alkali metal or ammonium ion, by the submerged culture of a Micromonospora strain which is able to 6β-hydroxylate a compound of formula (II) under aerobic conditions and by the separation and purification of the compound of formula (I) formed in the course of the bioconversion comprising the steps of a) cultivating a Micromonospora strain which is able to 6β-hydroxylate a compound of formula (II)—wherein R is as defined above—at 25-32° C. on a nutrient medium containing available carbon- and nitrogen sources and mineral salts, thereafter b) feeding the substrate to be transformed into a developing culture, then c) hydroxylating the substrate until finishing of the bioconversion, then d) separating the compound of formula (I) from the culture broth and, if desired, purifying the same.