PURPOSE: To grow any immobilized microorganism almost uniformly and make it possible to carry out the stable continuous fermentation for a long term, by carrying out the fermentation while transferring the immobilized enzyme to one end of a flow path for the fermentation liquor, and returning the immobilized enzyme to the other end of the flow path.
CONSTITUTION: The fermentation is carried out while transferring an immobilized enzyme 4 to one end of a flow path 6 for a fermentation liquor, and the resultant immobilized enzyme is then returned to the other end of the flow path 6. The above-mentioned enzyme is e.g. a yeast having the ability to produce ethanol, and the yeast may be entrapped in various water-insoluble high polymers without particular limitation on the shape nor size of the immobilized enzyme. Preferably, a granular material having 0.1W5mm diameter is easily handleable and favorably usable. As a result of the above-mentioned method for the continuous fermentation, any immobilized microorganisms can be almost uniformly grown, and the continuous fermentation for a a long term in a state of stably kept activity is possible.
NUMAZAWA RIYOUZOU
OONISHI HISAO
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