Combined action of enzyme and metal catalyst, applied to the preparation of D-mannitol

A novel catalytic approach involving co-operation of a bio- and a chemo-catalyst has been applied in the simultaneous enzymatic interconversion and platinum metal-catalysed hydrogenation of D-fructose–D-glucose mixtures (water, pH 7–8, 60 °C, 20 atm hydrogen); this gives an enhanced yield of D-mannitol.