GENE IMPROVING TEMPERATURE-TOLERANCE OF ACETIC ACID BACTERIUM, ACETIC ACID BACTERIUM BRED USING THE GENE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING VINEGAR USING THE ACETIC ACID BACTERIUM

摘要

It is intended to provide a novel gene originating in an acetic acid bacterium which participates in temperature-tolerance; a method of improving the temperature-tolerance of a microorganism, in particular, an acetic acid bacterium using the above gene; and a process for efficiently producing vinegar having an elevated acetic acid concentration using an acetic acid bacterium having an improved temperature-tolerance. From a chromosomal DNA library of acetic acid bacteria, a novel gene participating in temperature-tolerance is cloned from a practically usable acetic acid bacterium belonging to the genus Gluconoacetobacter by using a method of obtaining a gene which has a function of enabling growth even under such temperature conditions as allowing no growth in usual. A transformant constructed by transferring the above gene into an acetic acid bacterium shows a remarkably improved temperature-tolerance. When this transformant is cultured under aeration and stirring in the presence of ethanol, the final acetic acid concentration can be remarkably elevated.