Production of Mannitol by Leuconostoc Mesenteroides, Immobilized on Reticulated Polyurethane Foam

Abstract

Mannitol is a sugaralcohol with extensive use in food, chemistry, medicine and research. It is about half as sweet as sucrose. At present it is produced industrially by katalytic hydrogenation of fructose at high temperature and pressure. This hydrogenation yields mannitol as well as the isomer sorbitol in about equal amounts. The sorbitol formation is unwanted because sorbitol can also be made by hydrogenation of glucose.