PRODUCTION OF D(-)-TARTARIC ACID

摘要

PURPOSE: To provide a method for producing D(-)-tartaric acid by which the D(-)-tartaric acid important to a raw material for chemical industry is produced in high yield by stereospecifically hydrolyzing cisepoxysuccinic acid capable of being readily synthesized from maleic acid or maleic anhydride available in a large amount at a low cost according to a well-known method using a specific microorganism. CONSTITUTION: A cultured product of a microorganism, belonging to the genus Pseudomonas and having capability of hydrolyzing the epoxy ring of cisepoxysuccinic acid and producing D(-)-tartaric acid or its treated substance is mixed with the cisepoxysuccinic acid in a solution and reacted to enzymically convert the cisepoxysuccinic acid and produce the D(-)-tartaric acid. Thereby, the D(-)-tartaric acid is produced.