A process for the preparation of biologically active somatotropin from inclusion bodies of a recombinant host cell containing an inactive form of said somatotropin protein comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the inclusion bodies with an aqueous alcohol solution at an alkaline pH to solubilize said protein; and (b) bringing the solubilized protein into contact with a mild oxidizing agent to refold and form intramolecular disulfide bonds between cysteine residues of said protein.