Process for obtaining sorbitol and gluconic acid by fermentation, and cell material suitable for this purpose

US5017485A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Stephanie Bringer-Meyer · Jülich, DE
• Hermann Sahm · Jülich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 11, 1989
• Grant date: May 21, 1991
• Expiry date: Dec 11, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S435/822
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process is disclosed for obtaining sorbitol and gluconic acid, or gluconate, by fermentation in aqueous glucose/fructose mixtures. Zymomonas mobilis cells are used which have been permeabilized by the freeze technique and which have preferably been obtained by freezing cell centrifugates of pH 6 to 7 at about -20.degree. C., and thawing at room temperature. Cell concentrations of 20 to 60 g of cell dry matter of permeabilized cells/l are preferably used for the fermentation. By using cells which have been permeabilized by freezing and thawing, a considerably higher conversion rate of glucose/fructose into sorbitol and gluconic acid, or gluconate, is achieved.