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Formation of levan and sorbitol from sucrose by Zymomonas mobilis

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Summary

Ethanol yields produced by Zymomonas strains from sucrose are significantly lower than from glucose or fructose. The low yield is a consequence of the formation of both levan and sorbitol as by-products. Most of the levan is in a non-precipitable form, indicating low molecular weight. Formation of sorbitol was observed with both the Zymomonas strains studied. The measured amounts of levan and sorbitol were 8% and 11% of the original sucrose content, respectively.

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Viikari, L. Formation of levan and sorbitol from sucrose by Zymomonas mobilis . Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 19, 252–255 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00251846

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00251846

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