S-(+)-Carvone, the major compound of caraway oil, was used as chiral starting material in the synthesis of biologically active natural compounds. Two annulation methodologies were explored to synthesize bicyclic intermediates from the monocyclic S-(+)-carvone. The bicyclic intermediates were further transformed into (+)-α-cyperone, a compound with anti-malaria activity, ( )-polygodial, an insect-antifeedant, a decalol that inhibits the cholesterol biosynthesis and (-)-Ambrox , a commercially interesting olfactory compound.S-(+)-Carvone was used as substrate for bioconversions by selected micro-organisms. S-(+)-Carvone was reduced predominantly to both dihydrocarvones and to neo-iso-dihydrocarveol. Sensitivity of the micro-organisms for S-(+)-carvone and some of the products prevented yields exceeding 0.35 g/l in batch-cultures. The fungus Trychoderma pseudokoningii had the highest yield percentage of neo-isodihydrocarveol.