Abstract: This invention relates to a diluting and mixing device which is capable of diluting a first solution to produce a second solution which is mixed with an undiluted third solution, to reproducibly produce a unique series of combined solutions. Each solution in said series of combined solutions may vary only in the concentration of a single (selected) reactant, and typically, each successive solution becomes increasingly more concentrated in the selected reactant. By employing a modification in procedure, each successive solution in said series may become decreasingly less concentrated in the selected reactant.This invention further relates to an automated system comprising the device connected to a stepping motor so as to rapidly and reproducibly produce said series of solutions, said device being further connected to an analyzer means for obtaining chemical, biochemical, or physical chemical data on said series of solutions.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous production of sorbitol and either gluconolactone or gluconate from glucose and fructose. To this end to produce sorbitol and gluconolactone, glucose and fructose are reacted in the presence of a cell or cell-free extract of a bacteria, which contains the enzyme complex glucose/fructose transhydrogenase including the tightly bound co-factor(s), under condition whereby the further metabolism of gluconolactone is substantially prevented. In order to produce sorbitol and gluconate glucose and fructose are reacted in the presence of a cell or cell-free extract of a bacteria which contains an enzyme system comprising the enzyme complex glucose/fructose transhydrogenase including the tightly bound co-factor(s) and the enzyme gluconolactonase. This reaction is carried out under conditions whereby the metabolism of gluconate is substantially prevented. Preferably the bacteria used in this process is of the genus Zymomonas and most preferably of the species Zymomonas mobilis.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an enzyme extract containing glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucokinase, pyruvate kinase and fructokinase, derived from microorganism cells, by subjecting Zymomonas mobilis bacterium cells to extraction with an extraction medium comprising a partially water-miscible organic solvent; a non-ionic surfactant; and lysozyme; under neutral to alkaline pH conditions to provide an extract containing said enzymes.