A process was developed to utilize the highly active cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase [9030-09-5] from Klebsiella pneumoniae M5 al for a-cyclodextrin (I) [10016-20-3] prodn. To maximize the I yield, decanol was used to ppt. I during the reaction. Thus, yields of 50-60% are obtained. Since the crystallin complex is easily sep. and decanol can be stripped off efficiently by steam distn., this process is economically feasible. The I produced can be used in the food industry. [on SciFinder (R)]