On the Mannitol-forming Bacteria Isolated from Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea edulis, Makino)

Abstract

(1) The author isolated mannitol-forming bacteria from sweet potatoes. Mannitol is produced in a solution containing fructose by the bacterial reduction, but not formed by the fermentation of glucose, galactose and mannose.
(2) The bacteria are short rod forms and their optimum temperature is 36-37°, and their activities decrease largely when the culture solution changes below pH 4.
(3) Mannitol is formed simultaneously with a volatile acid and an unvolatile acid. The unvolatile acid is lactic.