Screening of Microorganisms Catalyzing the Biosynthesis of Arbutin

The catalytic capability of 67 Strains of mold,yeast and bacteria,for the biosynthesis of arbutin,were investigated.The molecular weight and configuration of arbutin were determined by HPLC,Electron Ionization-Mass Spectrometry and polarimetry.The results indicated that there were more than 70 % of microorganisms which could produce enzyme for catalyzing the biosynthesis of arbutin and the superior product were β-arbutin.