A new continuous production process has been developed for optically active pure (2 R, 5 R)-hexanediol. The process uses resting whole cells of Lactobacillus kefir DSM 20587 as a biocatalyst. The reduction of (2, 5)-hexanedione to (2 R, 5 R)-hexanediol was carried out in a 2-L continuously operated membrane reactor. Conversion of (2, 5)-hexanedione was nearly quantitative and the selectivity between product and intermediate was 78% for the ...
