Synthesis of Several 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenyl Derivatives as Inhibitors for Metamorphosis of Silkworm Larvae

The present purpose is to improve tartaric acid productivity of Gluconobacter suboxydans IAM 1829, which is well known as a 5-ketogluconic acid producer, by mutation involving the use of newly developed isolation method. In the course of studies for recognizing the causes suppressing the yield of tartaric acid, it was revealed that hydrogen-ion concentration and glycolic acid accumulated during fermentation limited the tartaric acid formation by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria. From these point of view, isolation of acid tolerant mutants and glycolate tolerant mutants was carried out. The significant correlation was found between the tartaric acid productivity of these mutants and their tolerance to those inhivitory agents, and some desireable mutants were obtained.