Process for preparing L-glucosone

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
A process for oxidizing L-glucose to L-glucosone which comprises contacting L-glucuose with glucose-2-oxidase produced by a microorganism selected from the group consisting of genera Polyporus, Aspergillus, Oudemansiella, Radulum, Lenzites, Irpex, Pellicularia, Armillaria, Schizophyllum and Corticium.
2.
A process according to claim 1, wherein the microorganism is Polyporus obtusus, Aspergillus oryzae, Oudemansiella mucida, Radulum casearium, Lenzites trabea, Irpex flavus, Polyporus versicolor, Pellicularia filamentosa, Armillaria mellea, Schizophyllum commune, and Corticium caeruleum.




Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a process for preparing L-glucosone alone or in admixture with other L-sugars, such as L-fructose.
L-sugars are useful as sweetening agents because, as disclosed in U.
S.
Pat.
No.
4,262,032, they are sweet like the D-sugars, but unlike D-sugars, L-sugars are either not metabolized by the body or are metabolized to a lesser extent than the D-sugars.
These features make L-sugars desirable as sweeteners for individuals wishing to reduce caloric-intake or for individuals unable to metabolize common sugar sweetening agents without detrimental effects, e.
g.
, diabetics.
Another advantage associated with L-sugars include the absence of an objectionable aftertaste commonly experienced with artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and the cyclamates.
However, as desirable as the L-sugars are in the foregoing respects, their relative scarcity in nature, particularly L-glucose and L-fructose, the laevo counterparts of the two monosaccharide sweeteners most commonly used today, has prevented their widespread use in foods and beverages or even their being considered for use in such products.
U.
S.
Pat.
No.
4,246,347 to Neidleman, et al.
, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, describes a two-step process for producing D-fructose from D-glucose.
The first step is the enzymatic conversion of D-glucose to D-glucosone by employing glucose-2-oxidase or carbohydrate oxidase