Abstract
Microbial transformation of D-sorbitol to L-sorbose was studied with immobilized whole cells of bacteria, Gluconobacter suboxydans var. α IFO 3254 which has the strong sorbitol dehydrogenase (SLDH) activity. The resting cells of late logarithmic growth phase were immobilized. The entrapping with Ca-alginate was the most favorable immobilization method. By this method, cells could convert D-sorbitol to L-sorbose constantly through 15th reusing test (20 hr × 15).SLDH of cells could be activated by the addition of small amount of nitrogen sources such as yeast extract and peptone.
