Process for producing alkyl-methyl ketones.

摘要

The invention relates to a process for producing methyl-alkyl ketones using micro-organisms which convert fatty acids or their esters into the corresponding methyl ketones having one carbon atom less. Suitable micro-organisms are those which produce at least 0.1% w/w methylketones in the culture broth. Preferred micro-organisms are Aureobasidium pullulans species. The process is especially suitable to produce pentan-2-one, heptan-2-one, nonan-2-one and undecan-2-one or mixtures thereof. The compounds produced are suitable for use in food flavours.