Living cell reaction process forl-isoleucine andl-valine production

Summary

A new process (Living Cell Reaction Process) forl-isoleucine production using viable, non-growing cells ofBrevibacterium flavum AB-07 was optimised using ethanol as the energy source and α-ketobutyric acid (α-KB) as precursor.l-valine also could be produced from glucose at high yield by this process. This process differs from the usual fermentation method in that non-growing cells are used, and the production ofl-isoleucine andl-valine were carried out under conditions of repressed cell division and growth. Minimal medium missing the essential growth factor, biotin was employed as the reaction mixture for the production ofl-isoleucine andl-valine. The productivity ofl-isoleucine andl-valine were 200 mmol·l⁻¹ · day⁻¹ (molecular yield to α-KB: 95%) and 300 mmol · l⁻¹ · day⁻¹ (molecular yield to glucose: 80%) respectively. The content ofl-isoleucine andl-valine in total amino acids produced in the each mixture were 97% and 96% respectively.