[Researches to the conversion of sorbit into sorbose by Acetobacter suboxydans (author's transl)]

The production of sorbose by Acetobacter suboxydans (4) is closely related to the concentration of sorbit in the medium. An increasing concentration of sorbit gives rise to the inhibition of cell reproduction; followed by a decrease of sorbose content in the culture medium. The decrease of sorbose yield in concentrations of about 15% sorbit in medium indicates the decreasing metabolism rate of the total population of Acetobacter suboxydans (4) culture and does not refer to the ability of the individual bacterium cell to produce sorbose. Relevant research work showed, that sorbose production for each bacterium cell distinctly increased with the decrease of the number of cells in a population of Acetobacter suboxydans (4) as a consequence of the application of an increased sorbit concentration. An unrestrained reproduction of bacteria could be obtained by exluding all factors involved in the contamination of sorbit and exhibiting toxic effects. Therefore the organisms could be offered a greater concentration of sorbit for conversion into sorbose. Thus sorbose yield would be increased, respectively. The total conversion of the C-source into sorbose could not be obtained with Acetobacter ruboxydans (4).