Fermentation process at reduced pressure

摘要

The present invention pertains to a fermentation process wherein a carbohydrate source is contacted under fermentation conditions in a reactor with a microorganism in an aqueous fermentation broth to form a fermentation product which is a salt or which has a boiling point above the boiling point of water, wherein the fermentation process is carried out as a pressure which is below atmospheric pressure and at least at a value where the reaction medium is at its boiling point at the fermentation temperature. It has been found that effecting a fermentation process at reduced pressure has a number of advantages. It solves the problem of having a surplus of water in the system, it ensures removal of reaction heat, and may lead to improved fermentation quality.