Isolation of Enterobacter agglomerans Strain 221e from soil, a potent d-tagatose producer from galactitol

An organism that can convert galactitol to d-tagatose was isolated from soil and identified as Enterobacter agglomerans. The conversion rate was about 92% when 2% galactitol was used. At 5% substrate concentration, the conversion rate was about 86%. The cells grown on 1% glycerol and 1% erythritol were found to have the best conversion potential. The sodium alginate-immunobilized cells and cells kept at −20°C also showed high conversion activity.