Activity of microorganisms decomposing cholesterol

: The rates of cholesterol decomposition was compared among cell suspensions of different microorganisms. Fifty seven cultures were studied: 2 strains of actinomycetes, 23 strains of proactinomycetes, 22 strains of mycobacteria, and 10 strains of bacteria. During four hours of incubation, 11 strains virtually did not decompose cholesterol at all, 10 strains decomposed it by up to 20 per cent, 21 strains by 20 to 70 per cent, and 15 strains by 70 to 100 per cent. The highest activity was displayed by Mycobacterium rubrum 297 and Mycobacterium sp. 2B, which decomposed all cholesterol in the sample within 4 hours. The high activity was also displayed by Proactinomyces sp. 2006, Nocardia opaca JMET 7030, and Nacardia erythropolis JMET 7252.