Process for the production of xylitol
AssigneeCerestar Holding B.V.
InventorsMyriam Elseviers, Harald Wilhelm Walter Röper
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a process for the production of xylitol. Specifically the process comprises two reaction steps. The first step is the fermentative conversion of a hexose to a pentitol. The second step is the catalytic chemical isomerisation of the pentitol to xylitol. Optionally, the xylitol is separated from the other pentitols.
Claims11
A method for producing xylitol from glucose which is in anhydrous, monohydrate or high glucose syrup form, said method comprising:
- (a) fermenting said glucose to yield mainly arabinitol,
- (b) isomerizing said arabinitol in the presence of a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalyst and a catalyst promoter comprised of phosphoric acid, to yield a corresponding pentitol mixture containing xylitol, and, optionally,
- (c) separating said xylitol from said pentitol mixture.
A method for producing xylitol from glucose, wherein said glucose is in anhydrous, monohydrate, or glucose syrup form, said method comprising:
- (a) fermenting said glucose to obtain a reaction product including arabinitol;
- (b) optionally demineralizing said reaction product;
- (c) isomerizing said arbitinol to yield a corresponding pentitol mixture that contains xylitol, said isomerizing being conducted in the presence of a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalyst and wherein the isomerization equilibrium is shifted towards the desired xylitol through the additions of an inorganic acid comprising phosphonic acid;
- and
- (d) separating said xylitol from said pentitol mixture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.