The fermentative production of uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDPAG) from 5'-UMP and glucosamine by dried cells of baker's yeast was studied. UDPAG was found to accumulate in a reaction system containing 5'-UMP, glucosamine, fructose, in-organic phosphate and magnesium ions with dried baker's yeast as an enzyme source. UDPAG was separated from the reaction mixture by means of anion exchange column chromatography and was identified by several biochemical methods.
The reaction conditions for the fermentative production of UDPAG were examined. The yield of UDPAG was about 40_??_66% based on 5'-UMP added when fermentation con-ditions were optimized. The concentration of glucosamine and potassium phosphate buffer, and pH as well as the water content of dried cells greatly affected the formation of UDPAG.
The distribution of UDPAG forming activity among other yeasts was studied. Relatively strong activities were found in some Debaryomyces species by which 33_??_40% of 5'-UMP was converted to UDPAG.

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