Abstract: In this paper the fermentation process of glycolic acid from ethylene glycol by Gluconobacter oxydans is studied. The results showed that the optimal fermentation condition was as follows：the ethylene glycol concentration was 80 g/L，adding 40 g/L of sorbitol to the medium as supplement carbon source in order to promote cell growth，1.0mol/L of sodium hydroxide and ammonia mixture was the neutralizer used in the fermentation process to maintain pH of 5.5. After 40hrs fermentation，the production of glycolic acid was 97.4 g/L，the yield was 96.8%. The method established the foundation for the biological production of glycolic acid.

Key words: glycolic acid, ethylene glycol, Gluconobacter oxydans, fermentation

摘要： 研究了以乙二醇为底物，利用氧化葡萄糖酸杆菌发酵法制备乙醇酸的工艺过程。研究结果表明，当乙二醇浓度为80 g/L，添加40 g/L山梨醇为外加碳源促进菌体生长，以1.0 mol/L的氢氧化钠与氨水混合液为中和剂，控制过程的pH值为5.5，是最佳的发酵条件。经过40 h发酵，乙醇酸产量为97.4 g/L，乙醇酸得率达到96.8%。该方法为生物法生产乙醇酸打下了基础。

关键词: 乙醇酸, 乙二醇, 氧化葡萄糖酸杆菌, 发酵