Synthesis of 3β-methyl ether of dehydroepiandrosterone by biotransformation of 3β-methyl ether of cholesterol with cells of mycobacteria Mycobacterium sp.

3p-Methyl ether of dehydroepiandrosterone was obtained by microbiological transformation of 3s-methyl ether of cholesterol with Mycobacterium sp. Androstane-3,17-dione, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, and androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione were minor transformation products.