The effect of different surfactants on α-arbutin bio-catalytic synthesis by Xanthomonas maltophilia BT-112 was investigated.Tween80 was the best when compared with different kinds of surfactants at different concentrations and times of surfactant addition.Experimental results showed that the suitable conditions were as follows: adding 3 g·L-1 Tween80 during the 12 hours from the start of fermentation

fed-batch in three times

1 g·L-1 every time.Under the conditions mentioned above

the product yield reached 96.2% against hydroquinone and increased by 3.53% and hydroquinone concentration reached 60 mmol·L-1 and increased by 25.0% as compared with the case without adding surfactant.The fermentation period was 36 h

25% less than the case without adding surfactant.