Sporulation and spore stability of Bacillus megaterium enhance Ketogulonigenium vulgare propagation and 2-keto-l-gulonic acid biosynthesis

► spo0A and spoVFA mutants of B. megaterium as companions of K. vulgare. ► Sporulation and stable spore enhance 2-keto-l-gulonic acid (2-KLG) yield. ► 2-KLG yield is positive linear with sorbose dehydrogenase activity of K. vulgare.