INDUSTRIAL-SCALE PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF POLYOLS BY FERMENTATION OF SUGARS

摘要

An industrial process for producing polyols comprises subjecting sugars to aerobic fermentation using Moniliella tomentosa var pollinis in a fermentation medium containing a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer which is capable of retaining the cells in the fermentation medium. The process is especially suitable for the industrial production of erythritol and/or ribitol. The process overcomes the disadvantage shared by prior proposals wherein cells are lost from the fermentation media through being carried away by the foam produced during fermentation.