Microbial modification of sugars as building blocks for chemicals.

Investigations on the microbial modification of sucrose to the corresponding 3-keto-derivative were carried out with resting cells of Agrobacterium tumefaciens NCPPB 396. This highly specific oxidation to yield the 3-keto-derivative has been analysed kinetically with varying substrate and cell mass concentrations. The formation of the corresponding 3-keto-derivative depended strongly on the reaction time and the aeration rate and was maximal at aeration rates up to 11.5 volume air/cultivation volume per minute with resting cells. The product formation increased with increasing substrate concentrations. However, the product yield was maximal at substrate concentrations below 20 g/l. Data pertaining to the production of active cell mass as well as for maximal 3-keto-derivative formation are presented in this paper. Also included are some applications for these derivatives.