Deoxycholic acid degradation by a Pseudomonas sp. Acidic intermediates with A-ring unsaturation.

The microbial catabolism of deoxycholic acid by a Pseudomonas sp. was studied, and six further acidic intermediates were isolated, as their methyl esters. Evidence is presented that the compounds are methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxochol-4-en-24-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinorchol-4-en-22-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxochola-1,4-dien-24-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinorchola-1,4-dien-22-oate, methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxochola-1,4,22E-trien-24-oate and methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinorchola-1,4,17(20)-trien-22-oate. On the basis of these compounds, together with the seven intermediates previously reported, a catabolic pathway is proposed.