Described is a bioprocess for the high-yield production of food
flavor-acceptable jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate, as well as a novel
jasmonic acid isomer produced thereby and organoleptic uses thereof. The
process yields at least 5% of the "cis" isomer defined according the
structure: ##STR00001## (wherein R is hydrogen or methyl) or at least 5%
of the "cis" isomer defined according to the structure: ##STR00002##
(wherein R is hydrogen or methyl). Compositions containing at least 98%
of the isomer having the structure: ##STR00003## with an optical
rotation (.alpha..sub.D.sup.20) of +58.degree. are novel. Compositions
containing at least 98% of the isomer having the structure: ##STR00004##
with an optical rotation (.alpha..sub.D.sup.20) of +58.degree. are also
novel. The process of our invention comprises the cultivation under
aerobic condition of one or more specific strain of Diplodia gossypina in
a nutrient medium followed either by (1) isolation of the jasmonic acid
product or (2) esterification of the jasmonic acid to form methyl
jasmonate followed by the isolation of the methyl jasmonate and novel
products produced by such process.