Characterization of $lac^+$ $gal^+$ Strains of Zymomonas mobilis for Ethanol Production from Lactose

Previously RP1::Tn951 which is a derivative of RP1 containing the lactose transposon Tn951 was introduced into Z. mobilis strain ZM6l00, and RP1::Tn951 was integrated into its genome to yield ZM6306. The galactose operon was incorporated into ZM6306 to yield ZM6307 for more efficient utilization of lactose. Batch culture study has been carried out on Z. mobilis strains, ZM6306 ($lac^+$ ) and ZM6307 ($lac^+$ , $gal^+$ ), which can convert lactose directly to ethanol. Using a medium containing 80 gㆍ$1^{-1}$ glucose and 40 gㆍ$1^{-1}$ lactose, it was found that ZM6306 and ZM6307 produced maximum ethanol concentration of 40 gㆍ$1^{-1}$ and 42 gㆍ$1^{-1}$, respectively, whereas parent strain ZM6 produced 37 gㆍ$1^{-1}$.