A new isolate of Arthrobacter sulfureus, when incubated at 50 g resting cells (dry cell wt) l(-1) with 50 g glucose l(-1) and 1 g 2-aminoacetophenone l(-1) in 50 mM potassium buffer (pH 7, 4 ml) at 30degreesC, produced (S)-2-amino-1-phenylethanol (e.e. >99%) with 75% yield in 6 h.