Sterol metabolism. IV. Microbial disposition of 5beta-cholestan-3beta-ol.

Cholesterol and 5beta-cholestan-3beta-ol have been detected by thin-layer and gas-chromatographic means in hexane extracts of domestic sewage. Cholesterol was detected in the clear effluent after activated sludge treatment of domestic sewage, but 5beta-cholestan-3beta-ol was undetectable in treated sewage. Attempts to detect either sterol in hexane extracts of marine bay water have not been successful because of the interference of other lipid-like material.