2-Cycloalkyl-1,3-benzoxazoles and -thiazoles (ring sizes C-3 to C-8) were biotransformed using the title microorganisms. Products of preparative importance were (1S,3S)-3-(benz-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)cyclopentan-1-ol 6, (1R-3-(benz-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)cyclopentan-1-one8 , (1R,2R)-2-(benz-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)cyclohexan-1-ol 14 and the corresponding cycloheptanol and cycloheptanone derivatives.