A newly discovered and isolated heat-stable NAD(P) + . linked secondary alcohol-specific dehydrogenase enzyme is derived from microorganisms grown under aerobic conditions in a culture medium containing a carbon-containing compound having at least two carbon atoms, preferably a C 2 -C 10 alkane or a C 2 -C 10 alkyl radical donating compound, as the major carbon and energy source. The purified form of this enzyme, in the presence of NAD(P) + , is capable of converting primary and secondary alcohols, diols and aldehydes to their corresponding oxidation products and acetone to propanol. In addition, a newly discovered NAD(P) + -linked primary alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme can be isolated from the same microorganism source.