L-LACTATE PRODUCTION FROM XYLOSE EMPLOYING LACTOCOCCUS-LACTIS IO-1

The growth, substrate utilisation and L-lactate production of Lactococcus lactis IO-1 were examined on xylose, and glucose and xylose media. The yield of lactate on xylose was 0.47 g lactate / g xylose at an initial xylose concentration of 51.2 g /l and the mu(max) was 0.72 h-1. Xylose cultures were more susceptible to lactate inhibition than were glucose cultures but showed similar kinetic behaviour. The organism was capable of complete sugar utilisation when grown on a mixture of 20 g /l xylose and 20 g /l glucose and synthesised 0.66 g lactate / g sugar.