D-psicose production using probiotic microorganisms

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of preparing D-psicose comprising the steps of (i) providing a mixture of D-psicose and D-fructose; and (ii) contacting the mixture of D-psicose and D-fructose with a probiotic microorganism that is capable of metabolizing D-fructose but not D-psicose and capable of converting D-fructose into L-lactic acid and subjecting the microorganism to culture conditions that allow fermentative removal of D-fructose from the mixture of D-psicose and D-fructose with concomitant production of L-lactic acid. Further provided are uses of a probiotic microorganism that is capable of metabolizing D-fructose but not D-psicose and capable of converting D-fructose into L-lactic acid for fermentative removal of D-fructose from a mixture of D-psicose and D-fructose. In particular, the probiotic microorganism is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or Saccharomyces boulardii.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.