Showa Denko K.k.

Masahiko Hiramoto

Keijitsu Tanaka

Takashi Echigo

A method for preparing dimethylolcarboxylic acid derivatives represented by general formula (1) ##STR1## (wherein R is a hydrogen atom, an amino group, an alkyl group, or an alkyl group having a hydroxyl group) to react with a culture broth, cells or a processed cell product of a microorganism belonging to the genus Rhodococcus or Agrobacterium having an ability to oxidize a methylol group of the tris(hydroxymethyl) derivative represented by general formula (2) ##STR2## wherein R has the same meaning as defined above. According to this invention, dimethylolcarboxylic acid derivatives can be produced efficiently under mild conditions by using microorganisms belonging to the genus Rhodococcus or Agrobacterium and having an ability to oxidize tris(hydroxy-methyl) derivatives to produce dimethylolcarboxylic acid derivatives.

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Chiba, Japan

Masahiko Hiramoto