Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing a mixture of mannitol and sorbitol, charactertized by the fact that continuous hydrogenation of glucosone with a solid matter content equal to at least 30%, preferably between 30 and 50%, is carried out in a succession of fixed catalyst beds disposed in series, which includes a first hydrogenation zone, made up of at least one fixed catalyst bed where hydrogenation is carried out at a temperature equal at the most to 80° C., preferably between 50 and 80° C., and a second hydrogenation zone, made up of at least one fixed catalyst bed where hydrogenation is carried out at a temperature equal to at least 80° C., preferably between 100 to 150° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous process for the preparation of a high-purity hydrogenated ose by catalytic hydrogenation of the corresponding ose in falling film reactors, wherein the hydrogenation is carried out in a series of fixed beds of ruthenium catalyst comprising: a) a first hydrogenation zone consisting of at least one fixed bed of ruthenium catalyst, and b) a second hydrogenation zone consisting of at least one fixed bed of ruthenium catalyst containing a promoter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation and purification of lactic acid from a fermentation medium wherein the lactic acid is totally or partially in the form of a salt or salts. The lactic acid producing microorganisms are separated from the other components of the fermentation medium. This solution is concentrated and then acidified to a pH below or equal to 3. The acidified solution is passed over a cation exchange resin to give a fraction that has maximum of 25% lactic acid salts relative to the dry weight of the solution. This fraction is subjected to bipolar fractionating electrodialysis. The resulting lactic acid is further purified, concentrated and then recovered.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the preparation of crystallised maltulose monohydrate, characterised in that it comprises the steps of preparing an aqueous maltulose solution of a strength above 65% by weight, concentrating the aqueous maltulose solution to a dry matter ratio of more than 50% by weight and at a temperature such that the degree of maltulose supersaturation is less than 1, cooling the concentrated solution so as to take the degree of maltulose supersaturation to a value above 1, crystallising the maltulose in said supersaturated solution by cooling it at a controlled speed and by stirring, obtaining the separation, recuperation and drying of the maltulose monohydrate crystals.