摘要 |
A process for the continuous production of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid or a salt thereof from D-sorbitol by fermentation with microorganisms in a nutrient medium containing D-sorbitol that is incubated in a first fermentation vessel with a microorganism capable of converting D-sorbitol to L-sorbose, whereafter the resulting fermentation broth containing L-sorbose is transferred to a second fermentation vessel where it is incubated with a microorganism capable of converting L-sorbose to 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. In a particularly preferred embodiment of this process, the fermentation broth from the first fermentation vessel is sterilized before being transferred to the second fermentation vessel. 2-keto-L-gulonic acid is a valuable intermediate for the production of vitamin C.
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