Process for conditioning bacterial cells containing glucose isomerase activity

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A process for conditioning bacterial cells having glucose isomerase activity for subsequent use to produce a fructose-containing product which comprises a.
mixing the bacterial cells at about 10.
degree.
-27.
degree.
C.
with water or an aqueous dextrose solution at a pH of about 8 measured at 25.
degree.
C.
until the cells are hydrated and pH equilibrated; and b.
passing an aqueous dextrose solution up through a bed of such bacterial cells at a temperature of about 60.
degree.
C.
and at a pH of 7.
5-8.
0 measured at 60.
degree.
C.
until the effluent solution is clear and the pH thereof is stabilized at 7.
5-8.
0 measured at 60.
degree.
C; or passing water at a temperature of about 10.
degree.
-27.
degree.
C.
and at a pH of 8.
0 measured at 25.
degree.
C.
up through a bed of such bacterial cells until the effluent solution is clear and the pH thereof is stabilized at 8.
0 measured at 25.
degree.
C.
, followed by the step of passing an aqueous dextrose solution up through the bed at a temperature of about 60.
degree.
C.
and at a pH of 7.
5-8.
0 measured at 60.
degree.
C.
until the effluent solution has the same dextrose content as the entering dextrose solution.
2.
A process according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous dextrose solution employed in steps (a) and (b) has a Dextrose Equivalent of about 97-98 and contains about 30 to 50 weight percent dissolved solids, which solids contain 93-96 weight percent dextrose.
3.
A process according to claim 1 wherein the bacterial cells having glucose isomerase activity had been previously treated with glutaraldehyde.
4.
A process according to claim 3 wherein the glutaraldehyde-treated cells had been previously dried and sized to be retained on a 60 mesh screen and to pass through a 20 mesh screen.
5.
A process according to claim 1 wherein in step (b) the water or aqueous dextrose solution is passed up through the bed of bacterial cells at a rate of 1.
3-1.
5 gal.
/sq.
ft.
of bed cross-sectional area/min.
6.
A process according to claim 1 wherein the water or aqueous dextrose solution contains about 0