Process for conditioning bacterial cells containing glucose isomerase activity

Claim 1

A process for conditioning bacterial cells having glucose isomerase activity for subsequent use to produce a fructose-containing product which comprises a. mixing the bacterial cells at about 10°-27°C. with water or an aqueous dextrose solution at a pH of about 8 measured at 25°C. until the cells are hydrated and pH equilibrated; and b. passing an aqueous dextrose solution up through a bed of such bacterial cells at a temperature of about 60°C. and at a pH of 7.5-8.0 measured at 60°C. until the effluent solution is clear and the pH thereof is stabilized at 7.5-8.0 measured at 60°C; or passing water at a temperature of about 10°-27°C. and at a pH of 8.0 measured at 25°C. up through a bed of such bacterial cells until the effluent solution is clear and the pH thereof is stabilized at 8.0 measured at 25°C., followed by the step of passing an aqueous dextrose solution up through the bed at a temperature of about 60°C. and at a pH of 7.5-8.0 measured at 60°C. until the effluent solution has the same dextrose content as the entering dextrose solution.