Patent ID: 6602691
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: C12N,C12P

Abstract:
A process for the production of mannitol comprisingintroducing a feed solution containing fructose into a zone comprising solid non-compressible carrier particles that contain viable mannitol-forming micro-organism cells immobilized in or on said particles, wherein said zone is under continuous fermentation conditions; biochemically converting said feed solution containing fructose in said zone into a solution containing mannitol; reconditioning said solution containing said mannitol by readjusting process parameters which have changed during said converting step, wherein said reconditioning is monitored to provide a volumetric production rate of mannitol per column volume between about 30 and 40 g/l in said conversion; recirculating the reconditioned solution into said zone or into another zone; repeating said converting, reconditioning, and recirculating steps to obtain a conversion of more than 70% of said fructose into mannitol; and recovering mannitol and optionally by-products of the conversion.